Serbian sports face transitions in football and basketball

Serbia's national football team faces a critical juncture under manager Veljko Paunović. Following a period of poor results, including four losses in the first six matches and fifteen goals conceded, Paunović is facing an ultimatum. Upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and the Netherlands will serve as a decisive test for his leadership. Paunović, who previously offered his resignation in June due to disappointment with the team's state, stated he intends to use the Nations League to prove the team can return to a competitive level.

In basketball, Crvena zvezda is preparing for the EuroLeague season under new coach Ibon Navarro. Following a preseason victory against Aris, Navarro noted that while the team showed improvement in ball security, they are not yet fully prepared, having completed only 11 training sessions. Navarro also highlighted undisclosed physical issues affecting some players. American guard Jared Butler expressed his commitment to adapting to Navarro's direct coaching style and aims to establish himself as a leader on the court despite a challenging preseason.