Zurab Talakvadze

So, here comes the final. Serbia, a star laden team against the team on a mission, that has yet to lose a match, Slovenia. Igor Kokoskov, a former head coach of Georgian NT and highly experienced specialist in NBA, is guiding Slovenia to first ever Eurobasket final. The stakes are high. Slovenia is ready. And, so is Serbia. Kokoskov’s side, Slovenian players are getting ready for the game of their lifes.

Serbia starts the game with Bogdan Bogdanovic, Milan MaCvan, Vladimir Lucic, Stefan Jovic, Ognjen Kuzmic. Slovenia click with Goran Dragic, Luka Doncic, Edo Muric, Jaka Blazic and Gasper Vidmar. both teams have valuable reserves, but SLovenia mostly relies on DRagic and Doncic. Steady diet it is. Kokoskov deos not have to hide anything. He trusts his players and he trusts his decisions. The game promises to be interesting. Coaches are ready.

From Serbia, everyone finishes the game with at least, 2points. The depth is there. And, the first quarter belongs to Serbia. 22:20. The match lies ahead and Serbia is the aggressor. Slovenia has to be more aggressive on defense. With Goran and Luka, the sky is the limit. Kokoskov is getting ready for the second quarter. And, what a fabulous comeback it is. Slovenia goes ahead and never loses the concentration up until the final horn. Slovenia is in a full control.

Minus 2 changes to plus 9 at the break.

How tough was Slovenia during the game? Well, this team simply from other universe. Painkillers does not help Serbia and Serbia is tortured, beaten up. Luka does not dictate the tempo, but helps on defense. Luka misses some shots, but is helpful on defence. Slovenia is giving him time and Kokoskov trusts the golden boy. Kokoskov trusts his own feelings. Kokoskov is in control. And, for good.

Before the start of the last quarter, Serbia is down by 2 points. The battle of reserves is becoming more and more crucial for the overall result. Anthony Randolph is seeking and destroing. And, Goran Dragic is just from another planet. That is how good Goran was. Midrange jumpers, elegant dribbles, timely dimes – Dragic was in control of the pace as well. Goran was the intimidator and Goran was a legend.

In the end, Slovenia wins the game 93:85. Serbia had some interesting moves, but Slovenia was just too good. To be true. Slovenia dictates the pace and Luka had some really nice episodes. As expected, Goran Dragic becomes the MVP of the tournament. In the Gold medal match Dragic took home 35 (!) points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a couple of steals. A game for the ages from the experienced guard. And, a game of life for Kokoskov. He created the team with a heart of a champion. Slovenia is a new European champion and the title belongs to Goran and Co.

All in all, a great and deserving triumph for Luka and his friends. Everybody contributed. Everybody was recharged and everybody was concentrated. Slovenia played 9 games on this Eurobasket. Slovenia has won all those 9 games. And here starts the international, or should I say NT career of the Unicorn, that is Luka Doncic.

The world belongs to Luka.

Only that, he did not knew that. And the legend of Luka Doncic was born. Long live the King!