40 years ago the Cold War worried the entire world, Nottingham Forest won the European Football Cup, Queen sent people to bite the dust and The Police felt very alone. 40 years ago… Svetislav Pesic was already sitting on a bench, that of Bosna Sarajevo.
More than four decades later, Pirot’s maestro continues to fight with a script that proves to be as current as ever. Like when he led Germany to win the Eurobasket in 1993, the only gold medal in his history (so far…). Like when he guided Yugoslavia to world gold in Indianapolis in 2002 or like when he blew up Sant Jordi on the night of that May 11, 2003 offering the first Euroleague to Barça.
Pesic, who turned 74 during this World Cup, will be one of the great protagonists of the final that will be hosted this Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, where his legend threatens to continue growing. His team, Serbia, faces Germany for gold in the Philippine capital (2:40 p.m. / TDP). Yes, to Germany, the country that fights with his native Serbia to occupy most of his heart, the country where his son Marko has made a career on the hardwood and the team that he himself put in the first plan of European basketball. In short, the country that gratefully granted him citizenship.
If Germany broke all expectations on Friday by knocking down the United States, its rival’s path to the final was no less meritorious. Because Serbia already started the tournament without three of its pillars (Jokic, Kalinic and Micic) but Pesic has done what he knows best, putting together a team in which Bogdanovic has earned his stripes on his own merits.
The final is served. Serbia or Germany will be champions. The two countries of Pesic. The whims of fate.
