Bošković opens up on world championship plans, playing Malkia Strikers and more

Serbian women’s volleyball star, who turn out for Turkish giants Eczacıbaşı Dynavit at club level, Tijana Bošković, admits that it will be difficult to defend the world championship title they won in 2018 when the championship was held in Japan. 

This year's World Championships action begins on 23 September in Netherlands with Serbia grouped in pool C that also has Canada, Bulgaria, Germany, Kazakhstan and the United States as their first opponents.

Bošković, nicknamed 'The Boss' will hope to guide the title holders who are also the Olympics bronze medalists as they look to become the sixth country to successfully defend an FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship title. Their 2018 triumph gave them a maiden title in the global championship.

"People have big expectations from us and all eyes will be on this team as action begins in Netherlands next week. However, we are under no pressure. We have had two months to prepare for this championship and we will give our best performance. 

We are aware that there are many great teams eyeing this title and it will be difficult to win the gold medal again. However, we will take it one game at a time, improving our performance with each game and at the end, we can be the best team out of the 24," offered the 2018 world championships Most Valuable Player (MVP). 

Bošković, the leading scorer for Serbia since making her debut in the 2014 world, was speaking to Mozzart Sport on the sidelines of a photoshoot in Belgrade organised by the team's sponsors Mozzart Bet. 

Mozzart Bet are the official betting partners and sponsors of the Kenyan national team Malkia Strikers, the Serbian national team and the Colombian national team. All three side are heading to the worlds next week. 

Playing teams like the Olympics champions, USA in the pool stage, the Serbs will hope to continue their good run where, since winning the world title, they have been in the top internationally, finishing third in Tokyo Olympics and in the Volleyball National League (VNL). They also won gold and silver at the last two editions of the European Championships.

"All teams in our pool are very good. We throw off the championship with a match against Canada, a side we played in the Volleyball National League (VNL). Although I did not play the VNL this season, my teammates reliably tell me that the Canadians are good. USA, however, remains the most difficult side at the group stage. 

No matter who play, we will try to win every match because every point counts as each team carries its previous results to the next round. Having strong opponents in the group stages is good for us as it prepares us for the next rounds," she added. 

The 25-year old has downplayed the rivalry that volleyball enthusiast most definitely await to witness between herself and Italian star opposite Paola Egonu who just guided her team to a maiden VNL title. 

While fans around the world missed this rivalry during this year's VNL as the Serbian elected to sit out after an engaging season with her Turkish club, it is almost inevitable that the two sides will meet. 

In 2018, Italy faced off with Serbia in an explosive final at the Worlds, the latter relegating the Italians to the silver medal as they won their maiden title. This year, Egonu's side is looking to hand their country a rare double as their men's team won the title earlier this month. 

"To be honest I am not thinking about who we will meet in the final or anything like that. I am happy that there are many great players and for me it is always challenging to play against good players. There will be many interesting games and opponents and that is what I am looking forward to," she answered, completely avoiding the Egonu subject and their rivalry. 

Italy will be in Pool A that also has Malkia Strikers, African champions Cameroon, Puerto Rico, Belgium and hosts the Netherlands. 

Asked whether she would be disappointed to miss out on gold, Bošković, with a chuckle, says she would not want to think about that now. 

"I do not want to think about that. I do not want to put any pressure on me or my team. I just hope we will do our best and be happy with the results." 

Having skipped the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), Boskovic is set to feature for the national team for the first time since last year’s European Championship and she believes the break has her refreshed and ready for the task ahead. 

"I needed this break after a very tasking and long season. It was a busy year with the national team where we played the Olympics and European Championships and immediately I started the season in Turkey. My body needed a break but now I feel fresh and full of energy, ready to give my all for the team," she explained. 

Having played against Malkia Strikers in the 2018 World Championships and at the Tokyo Olympics in the most recent encountes , the 2016 Olympics silver medalist singled out Kenya's energy on the court as something she enjoyed about these encounters. 

"I really like playing against the Kenyan team. The team has really great energy on the court and one can see that the players really enjoy the game. It would be a good thing to see them proceed to the second round at this year's event in Netherlands," she concluded.