Serbia is constantly producing great 3×3 basketball players and consequentially wining major tournaments. They have established themselves as most famous country in this super-thrilling sport with a lot of medals in national competitions. Additionally, their clubs are playing vital role in World Tour and represent biggest treat to rivals.
One of the finest products of Serbian 3×3 school is Aleksandar Ratkov, Liman’s player. He grew up on Serbian courts playing on one rim. At the same time, Ratkov dreamed to become one day best 3×3 player and to participate in Olympic Games. Let’s quickly look how his development as player went.
Which competition was first for Aleksandar Ratkov?
First competition for Aleksandar Ratkov in Liman’s jersey was Masters held in Swiss city Lausanne in 2016. Stefan Kojic, Stefan Stojacic, Marko Brankovic, and Aleksandar Ratkov formed Serbian team who competed with Polish Gdansk and Turkish Manisa in pool B for a place in quarterfinal.
Easy two wins in group stage took roster from Novi Sad to Top 8 where they faced Italian Pavia. Comfortable 21-9 victory against Italian squad was followed by defeat in the semis against Paris. French team steamrolled Aleksandar Ratkov with 21-11 and made Serbian guys sad and disappointed.
How much success did Aleksandar have in next campaign?
Same players represented Serbian team in 2017 season in most popular international club competition in 3×3. Playing together for a long time brought greater team cohesion to the court and the results, consequentially, got better. Additionally, Mihailo Vasic joined the squad and strengthened already powerful roster.
After taking 5th and 3rd place in two first played tournaments, Ratkov and teammates won their first Masters in Debrecen. Beating Ljubljana in final with 21-14 was a massive boost for stars from Serbia to continue in same manner. Beating compatriots Zemun with 21-15 in final of Mexico Masters and ending up in first place was a great overture for Final Masters in Beijing.
Unfortunately, guys couldn’t keep the necessary pace in China and lost to Dusan Bulut’s Novi Sad in quarterfinal with 21-14.
How good was Ratkov’s team in 2018 Season?
Maksim Kovacevic was included into the squad for challenges in 2018, while Marko Brankovic left. Ambitions of Novi Sad’s team remained high and they wanted to go couple of steps further comparing to 2017.
Winning Utsunomiya, Chengdu, and Penang Masters was something amazing for Liman’s spectators all around the world.
Despite excellent regular part of season, Ratkov and his friends suffered 16-13 loss in quarterfinal of Final Masters in Beijing which ended their hopes about claiming the trophy.
What happened with Aleksandar’s team in 2019?
Arrival of Chinese player Pen Jang gave team another dimension and enabled them to play in another possible way. Pulling out a 21-19 victory over Riga in the final of Debrecen Masters brought another title to guys from Serbia.
However, it turned out to be only won major tournament in 2019. Poor form of team in the second half of season was partially caused by Stojacic’s departure.
Taking 7th place in Utsunomiya Final symbolically showed that team from Novi Sad was not yet ready for biggest challenges.
How did Aleksandar Ratkov play in pandemic 2020 season?
Before the start of 2020 Season, Milan Kovacevic joined the roster of already mighty team Liman. Old members remained part of Novi Sad’s squad, so spectators had high desires prior the competition.
The campaign started very well for Stefan Kojic and his teammates as they won the first Masters in Hungarian city Debrecen beating Lithuanian Utena with 21-16 in final. Winning 1st place in Europe Masters was proof this team was able to achieve big things in World Tour. However, Final Masters in Jeddah was a heartbreaking as Liman lost the thrilling final against Riga with 21-20.
Which place did Liman take in World Tour’s tenth edition?
Following loss in a super-exciting final in Jeddah Masters in previous season, guys from Novi Sad prepared hard for new campaign. Liman got new acquisition Nebojsa Kilijan hoping that tenth edition of this globally popular competition could be lucky for Ratkov and teammates.
Roster from Novi Sad couldn’t win any major tournament throughout the season, so all cards were thrown for the Final Masters in Jeddah. Tournament in Saudi Arabia was successful for Serbian team as they clinch the trophy with five victories, including the final one against Russian Gagarin with 21-14.
What occurred with Ratkov’s Serbia at 2021 Olympic Games?
3×3 basketball was included in program of Olympic Games in 2017 and first competition was held in 2021 due to pandemic. Serbia was participating and expected good results since players from this country were having very good performances in that period.
Mihailo Vasic, Dusan Bulut, Dejan Majstorovic, and our hero Aleksandar Ratkov were called for the action in Japanese capital Tokyo. They passed easily group stage and reached the semis against Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). Despite solid performances until that phase, Serbia was steamrolled with 21-10.
Somehow, Serbian guys stood up in the game for bronze medal at 2021 Olympic Games and pulled out a victory over Belgium with same result. It was small consolation for players, but they promised that next Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 will be more successful.
Ratkov showed mental instability in the most crucial moments of Olympic Games which is considered as his biggest flaw.
What occurred at 2021 Europe Cup?
Ratkov, Miroslav Pasajlic, Dejan Majstorovic, and Mihailo Vasic wanted to show the continent that they are the best team.
Following the Olympic Games, Serbia took part in continental championship in City of light-Paris. Serbian team shockingly lost to Ukraine in group stage, but regrouped quickly and won against France and Russian in quarterfinal and semifinal, respectively. Lithuania was waiting in the final, so the guys in blue shirt were highly motivated.
Eventually, Serbia defeated Soviet country with 20-14 and won fourth gold medal in its history.
Aleksandar Ratkov was ranked as best player on the planet, according to FIBA 3×3 Ranking List in August of 2021. It was massive recognition for this very agile player on the court.
How far did Aleksandar Ratkov go in 2022?
After fantastic 2021 season, team Liman wanted to prove that was not accidental victory. They trained very hard believing it would pay off on the court despite big competition. Many teams were pretenders to the throne, so Ratkov and his teammates were super motivated to give their best. Additionally, Miroslav Pasajlic was new squad reinforcement.
Following not so impressive performances in first five Masters, team from Novi Sad won the Utrecht Masters beating Paris in final game with 21-15.
Unfortunately, it was only result worth attention in that campaign since Liman disappointed massively at Final Masters in Abu Dhabi.
Winning bronze medal at 2021 Olympics and lifting the trophy at 2021 Europe Cup were the biggest things Aleksandar did with his country. Adding to that title at 2021 FIBA World Tour made that calendar year the most successful year in his playing career.
Shall he repeat those magnificent achievements in upcoming period? It’s tough to answer, but he is looking forward to Olympics in Paris. Ratkov hopes that his nation will compete and that there will be place for him in the roster. Gold at Olympic Games would be ice on cake for this 30-years-old magnificent player.
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