Simon openly: We finally brought back the cult of the national team. Our goal is the WC, and then to win the Games

Croatia missed out on the last two World Cups, but after the excellent games of Tomislav Mijatova in the pre-qualifications and the first round of qualifications, it seems that qualification for the World Cup in Qatar 2027 is getting closer.

In the last round of qualifications, which will be played at the end of August, Croatia will play against Poland, Latvia and the Netherlands. However, Simon, who is like a gameč having gone through almost everything with the Croatian national team, including appearances at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he emphasizes that there is no room for euphoria.

Everything is subject to qualifying for the World Championship, and after that comes a new big goal, the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

– Since my arrival and the appointment of Tomislav Mijatovi as coach, the first goal was, of course, qualifying for the World Cup. But I must also emphasize that we still have several younger selections that really need to be taken into account. In short, I hope that all of us who work in the Croatian Basketball Association are going in the right direction and that we will get to where we belong. All this is a process that is not short and cannot be done in two years, but we have a plan and for now I am very satisfied with how everything is developing – said Simon.

After many years, the cult of the national team is finally felt, and we don’t remember when the atmosphere was this positive.

– It’s no secret that there used to be problems and it’s no secret that, while I was playing for the national team, we often failed because of some things that happened off the field, not on the field itself. I have been part of the national team since 2006 and I have seen situations when there was excellent chemistry, but also those when it was not good. That’s why restoring the cult of the national team was our first goal, and we wanted the players to feel happy when they received the invitation and to come to the preparations with a smile. I can say that we have achieved that so far. I think the atmosphere between the games is very good and as far as I can see, they are a great group. This can be seen on the field itself, although I would not fall into euphoria after these two victories against Cyprus and Israel. We just need to continue like this and maintain this chemistry within the team. In my opinion, this is our greatest strength when it comes to a big competition, where the players are ready, as they say, to die for each other. That should be the first goal of every national team.

Croatia missed the last two World Cups. From this perspective, it seems that Qatar in 2027 is very close to us…

– I just want to emphasize that there is no need to create euphoria and that we must seriously work on the new qualification window at the end of August. For all of us at HKS, the appearance at the World Championship is a priority, and only when these qualifications are over will you see how many strong national teams will remain without a place. When I look at it, it was more difficult for us to pass the first round than the group we are now crossing paths with. For example, out of four national teams such as Germany, Croatia, Poland and Latvia, one will not go to the World Cup. Israel is practically, as far as we can see, older. relegated because it lost all čfour games against direct competitors. In short, at the end of the qualification there will be a very large number of teams that have quality, but will not go to Qatar. That’s why I’m very happy and proud that we did such an excellent first round, with the addition that I’m still mourning the away defeat against Germany, because then the Germans were ready to beat them and go to the second stage with 6-0 – said the legendary Croatian basketball player.

There is not much time for rest because it is alreadyć new matches follow at the end of August. The key will be the one against Latvia.

– Yes, a lot will depend on that first game against Latvia, which enters the second round with three wins. We have five and objectively, if we win, I think we practically have one foot in Qatar. But I would like to emphasize that the new two matches are coming very soon, and that’s why I said that I don’t want to get into euphoria. You know how it is with us, we quickly go from euphoria to depression, and this match is extremely important. I think the focus is on those two games that await us in August and they are the key. in order to welcome the final window in February 2027 completely relaxed. Just in the game against Israel, everyone could see how important an NBA center like Ivica Zubac is to us, and that’s why we have to use this next window, when he is there, so that we don’t accidentally slip somewhere.

They also say that HKS has provided top-notch conditions, from preparations and accommodation to travel.

– I am someone who has been through a lot in the Croatian national team jersey and I have to say that the conditions have always been very good, with the addition that these preparations can be compared to those I had at Anadolu Efes, which is certainly one of the biggest clubs in Europe. In short, we try to provide our players with the best possible conditions so that they can dedicate the first part of the day to training and preparation, and in the afternoon they have absolute freedom outside the field to feel comfortable in the company of family and friends. We are glad that the players feel comfortable because it is in the interest of all of us that everything is at the maximum level.

The first goal is the World Championship and the return to major competitions, which we haven’t been to since 2022, and everything about the national teams is tickling and the thought of a possible placement at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. We haven’t been there since Rio 2016…

– I sincerely hope that this generation, after obtaining a visa for Qatar, which is the first goal, will also qualify for the Olympic Games. I was lucky enough to perform at one Olympic Games, in Rio in 2016, and I know how much it means to athletes. But let’s go step by step. Let’s first secure a place in the World Championship, and then do our best to make it to Los Angeles. I would be the happiest person in the world if that happened – concluded Simon.