Without Djordjevic in Sidney

Like Divac, Djordjevic will miss Olympics in Sydney

Belgrade, July 16 - Fourteen candidates of the Yugoslav Men's Basketball National Team gathered in Hotel "Hyatt Regency" in Belgrade. Two missing players are Predrag Danilovic and Dragan Tarlac. Yugoslavia's coach Zeljko Obradovic said that both players have valid excuses: Danilovic went to his sister's wedding, while Tarlac have "private problems". So both of them will show up in the next few days.

The biggest "surprise" was that Aleksandar Djordjevic showed up, said hello to everybody, and added that he couldn't begin preparations for Sydney because of "more-less the same reasons as Vlade Divac", which in Divac's case were "family reasons".

Zeljko Obradovic said that Dusan Ivkovic and he will talk again and try to persuade Djordjevic and Divac to change their minds, but it's up to them - nobody can force anyone to play for the Yugoslav Men's Basketball National Team.

"Djordjevic and Divac are very important for this team. They are extra quality players. Someone may stress what I said two months ago - who comes the first day will be on the list of candidates. But it would be too easy. They gave plenty for this country as players and humans. I only wish to have the best team possible and to start working. 'Doors' are still open - persuasion and negotiation will continue and you will be informed", said Obradovic.