Montenegro’s impressive journey in the FIBA World Cup 2023 continued as they secured another commanding win, moving to a 2-0 record in Group D. With an 89-74 triumph against Egypt, Montenegro showcased their determination to claim a top spot in the group standings. The upcoming clash against Lithuania presents a chance for Montenegro to further solidify their position in the competition.
In a familiar narrative to their previous game against Mexico, Montenegro once again surged ahead with a quick 10-point lead in the opening quarter. Dino Radoncic’s contribution was pivotal as he led the charge with 10 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for Montenegro’s dominance.
Despite Egypt’s resilience and the loss of their leader Assem Marei due to injury, they were unable to narrow the gap to single digits for the remainder of the game. Montenegro’s formidable defense and their ability to capitalize on turnovers proved to be crucial, leading to a 30-17 advantage in points from turnovers.
Montenegro’s bench unit played a vital role in creating separation, with Nikola Ivanovic, known as Johnny, hitting three pivotal three-pointers, including back-to-back shots. Ivanovic’s impact was evident as he contributed 15 points in 22 minutes, amplifying the team’s success.
Head coach Bosko Radovic expressed both satisfaction and a desire for improvement, stating, “This is our best record in the history of the World Cup… If you want to play with the big and stronger teams in this tournament, like Lithuania in two days, we must be awake for four quarters.”
Montenegro’s NBA star Nikola Vucevic added to the team’s success, consistently delivering strong performances. Vucevic showcased his prowess with 16 points and 7 rebounds in the victory against Egypt.
Reflecting on the tournament experience, Nikola Ivanovic praised the organization and the warm reception in the Philippines, emphasizing, “Honestly, this is a very big success for our country.”
In contrast, Egypt’s Ehab Amin lamented their turnovers, acknowledging their impact on the outcome: “We had 22 turnovers, they had 30 points off these turnovers, that was the big difference.”
The Montenegro team’s journey continues as they prepare for a crucial matchup against Lithuania in the final group game of the first round. With their eyes set on further success, Montenegro remains a team to watch in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.