“It is better for Serbia to finish ninth than for a foreigner to bring gold”

The question of the participation of naturalized players in national teams has divided quite a few people, with the opinion that foreign athletes should not participate in national teams is also represented by Zelikos Rambratsa.

After Vladimir Štimak, Zeljko Repraca stood against the participation of naturalized athletes in the Serbian national team, expressing his opposition to this issue.

The former Panathinaikos player and international player spoke with Serbia courierStressing that he would prefer his country to rank ninth rather than be the first with the participation of a foreign player.

In response to a question about whether the Serbian national team needs naturalization, he said: “No. It’s not a club. The national team is our team, a team of the best players in the country and I’d rather finish ninth than a foreigner bring us the gold medal.”

Selection of the national team assumes that players were born here, everything else is unrealistic philosophies and image of basketball. We have possibilities, but we have to work and stop looking for shortcuts to success, because there is no way.”