Serbia shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic is looking forward to taking on the USA alongside his compatriots in an exhibition game in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, describing this American Olympic side as “one of the best teams ever”.
Serbia and the USA will square off twice in 11 days, first in the friendly at Etihad Arena and then again in pool play at the Olympics on July 28 in Lille.
The Serbs have a strong squad that features reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks, and Vasilije Micic of the Charlotte Hornets.
The World Cup silver medallists were in the stands watching the USA defeat Australia at Etihad Arena on Monday and Bogdanovic is excited to take on a star-studded American roster that includes LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards.
“This is going to be great for us definitely,” Bogdanovic said in Abu Dhabi.
“We are looking forward to playing against them. For sure one of the best teams ever that plays together. And I think it’s going to be great training for us. We cannot lose against them. Just playing against them is already a win.
“When you play against the best players in the world, you can only get better afterwards. It’s going to be a great game.”
Bogdanovic sees no disadvantages in the fact Serbia will be facing the USA so close to their Olympics showdown. He said Serbia don’t plan on keeping any cards too close to their chests when they square off on Wednesday.
“We know each other a lot, so I think everybody knows each other well. So nothing to hide there,” said the 31-year-old guard.
The Serbs are about one month into their preparations for the Olympics and Bogdanovic says the team's chemistry is building.
“We are working on it consistently. Now the fun part starts. Practices are over, we are looking forward to more games and entertainment,” he added.
USA only started their training camp 11 days ago and are using the five exhibition games they are scheduled to play by experimenting with their starting line-up.
The Americans won their first two friendlies, against Canada in Las Vegas last week, and Australia in Abu Dhabi on Monday, and will head to London for two more games after they take on Serbia in the UAE capital on Wednesday.
USA nearly squandered a 20-point lead against the Boomers on Monday, finishing the game with a narrow 98-92 victory after a sub-par final 15 minutes of play.
“We understand time is not on our side. We have to clean things up quickly,” said USA and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker.
“Playing like we did in the second half today [Monday], end of the third quarter and the fourth quarter will not win us a gold medal.”
Head coach Steve Kerr is confident the team will be ready in time for their first game at the Olympics and says he will continue to tinker with his starting five until they get it right.
“We have time. We know what we’re doing. USA basketball has been doing this for a long time. Part of the challenge is we don’t have the continuity that a team like, say, Australia, has. They’re used to playing together,” explained Kerr.
“So that means we have to adapt and adjust pretty quickly in a couple of weeks. But obviously, we’ve got a tonne of talent and great character. Our guys are really fantastic teammates, they care for each other. But it takes a little time to become a team. We need a couple of more weeks but we’ll get there.”
USA 98 Australia 92 – in pictures
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
How Beautiful this world is!
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Brief scores:
Day 1
Toss: South Africa, field first
Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48
South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place play-off
Match info
Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')
Southampton 0
Match info
Costa Rica 0
Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')
New schools in Dubai
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott
The five pillars of Islam
Astroworld
Travis Scott
Grand Hustle/Epic/Cactus Jack
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
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