Mario Hezonja expected to play with Croatia in FIBA windows game
Croatia’s roster for the upcoming EuroBasket Qualifiers includes a rather surprising entry. Due to the overlapping schedules of EuroLeague and national team games, most international players are unable to serve both their club and their country.
The issue is even more acute when it comes to EuroLeague superstars, whom their clubs regard as indispensable in order to achieve their goals. Such is the case of Mario Hezonja, who – according to Mike Maestre from AS- has obtained permission to place himself under the orders of Croatia head coach, Josip Sesar, after playing with Real Madrid against ALBA Berlin at the WiZink Center on Thursday, November 21.
It will be a similar case to that of Dario Brankovic, Bayern Munich’s center, who was also called up.
Croatia is in group E of the FIBA windows, tied with Bosnia and Herzegovina at 1-1, and needs at least one win in their next two games. The two former Yugoslavian countries square off next Sunday, November 24, in Sarajevo, and Croatia are hoping to have both Hezonja and Brankovic available since there’s no game scheduled in the national leagues on that date.
On the other hand, Dzanan Musa isn’t expected to suit up for Bosnia, since he remains sidelined with injury.
