3×3 basketball’s debut in the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) means Malta fields its own squad for the Games this year to tip off its commitments on Wednesday.
Speaking to the Times of Malta ahead of the Games, Vukasin Jandric sounded his enthusiasm to be part of the first 3×3 team at GSSE.
“I am very happy and excited about it like the other players,” the Mellieha Libertas player said, “Malta is my second home and I hope we make Maltese people proud, and that this will be the beginning of 3×3 fashion in Malta so that children here will start playing it much more.”
The team is made up of Jandric, Nenad Bukva, Chad Cuschieri Patos, and Nikola Bozovic – all players who have been in Malta for a while which qualifies them for a place within the Maltese GSSE team.
Together the players have quite a history as 3×3 players and so this should be a boost for this week’s fixtures.
“I think we match perfectly,” Jandric explained, “we can switch everything in defense, two in and two out players on offence where all of us can shoot.
“We also trained hard but didn’t have much time. Other teams are on the paper in a better position but I think they won’t have an easy job playing against us – far from it.”
Asked about Malta’s opposition, Jandric explained that winning would spell a big success.
“Luxembourg, Cyprus, Andorra, and Monaco have played together a long time and look serious.
Knowing that I’ve played in Serbia with the best players in the world, we will try to win every possible point.
“If we manage to win it will be huge success, if not we know that we gave it all from our side.”
