The candidates for the national team gathered on Friday evening in Kragujevac and held their first training sessions on Saturday and Sunday as part of preparations for the European Championship, which will be held in Belgrade from January 10 to 26 next year.
Coach Uroš Stevanović has called up 23 players. They are: goalkeepers – Radoslav Filipović (Radnički), Vladimir Misović (Red Star), Milan Glušac (Novi Beograd 11. april), Radosav Virijević (Valis), Mihajlo Gošić (Sava), centers – Nikola Murišić (Radnički), Nemanja Vico (Primorac), Đorđe Lazić (Jadran HN), defenders – Sava Randjelović (Radnički), Nikola Jakšić (Radnički), Radomir Drašović (Marseille), Dušan Trtović (Novi Beograd 11. april), Petar Jakšić (Radnički), Luka Pljevančić (Novi Beograd 11. april), outfielders – Miloš Ćuk (Novi Beograd 11. april), Strahinja Rašović (Radnički), Nikola Lukić (Novi Beograd 11. april), Vasilije Martinović (Novi Beograd April 11), Nikola Dedovic (Radnicki), Dusan Mandic (Ferencvaros), Viktor Rašovic (Radnicki), Vuk Milojevic (Novi Beograd April 11) and Luka Gladovic (Novi Beograd April 11).
– We have just started, these are introductory training sessions, well known when big competitions are the goal of the season. The atmosphere is great, we are all eager to work, playing in the Arena is a motivation for all of us – says experienced national team player Strahinja Rašović.
In the first two days, some obligations towards sponsors were fulfilled. From December 10th to 12th, the Romanian national team will be in Kragujevac for a sparring session.
– This is the first phase of preparations. After Kragujevac, we go to Kranj for conditioning preparations and that will be the most physically demanding part of the job. After that, Athens and the tournament in Trebinje. There is not much time until Belgrade and we need to make the most of the work to be ready – added Rašović.
Ten years ago, the European Championship was held in the Belgrade Arena, where, in front of a record number of spectators, Serbia defeated Montenegro in the final. From that squad, the following players are currently preparing: Randjelovic, Nikola Jakšić, Ćuk and Mandić. Coach Uroš Stevanović was Dejan Savić’s assistant.
