As the FIBA U22 Championship reached its final stage, all of the teams moved from Maribor and Postojna towards Slovenian capital Ljubljana. Everyone understood the importance of the last two games - though some teams were playing for their pride and 5-8th places, the pressure was especially true for the teams who were in the top four. Italy - Greece was a first semi final to be played, and Belarus was facing the #1 team from group B - Spain in the later game.
Psychologically, no matter how hard players try not to think about the importance of the crucial games, it is usually a tough task to manage as all of their thoughts are related to the game in one way or another. The signs are everywhere: players are carefully choosing what to eat for breakfast and, all of a sudden, teammates stop to joke as much, and one can hear the annoying sound of silverware hitting the plates' ceramic during a team lunch. There is also silence in a video room while the team is watching scouting video and the intensity is mixed in the air with occasional remarks from coaches... Everyone realizes that an opportunity to win European Championship might never present itself again.
Psychologically, no matter how hard players try not to think about the importance of the crucial games, it is usually a tough task to manage as all of their thoughts are related to the game in one way or another. The signs are everywhere: players are carefully choosing what to eat for breakfast and, all of a sudden, teammates stop to joke as much, and one can hear the annoying sound of silverware hitting the plates' ceramic during a team lunch. There is also silence in a video room while the team is watching scouting video and the intensity is mixed in the air with occasional remarks from coaches... Everyone realizes that an opportunity to win European Championship might never present itself again.
