Foot injury knocks Smodis out for Slovenia

Matjaz Smodis will miss the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Photo credit: FIBA)Photo Gallery>>Slovenia have lost star power forward Matjaz Smodis for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament because of the foot injury that has plagued him at the national team training camp.

The CSKA Moscow superstar, an integral part of the Slovenia team at last summer's EuroBasket in Spain, confirmed on Wednesday: "The American doctor from San Francisco, the one that operated on my other foot in December, suggested to me the same thing as my club CSKA Moscow did - at least a month of rest.

"Basketball, he said, is not an option. After three or four weeks, when the foot will hopefully be more stable, I will have another check-up and only then will I get the final diagnosis of my condition.

"Now it is not possible, because of the inflammation. The risk of playing for Slovenia is therefore too big at this moment. I am very sorry, but it looks like the Olympic games will have to wait for me."

The absence Smodis, coupled with the decision by Erazem Lorbek not to play this summer, has left national team coach Ales Pipan without two quality big men for Athens.

The 2.05m power forward Smodis was virtually unstoppable last year in Spain where he shot 69.4% (25 of 36) inside the arc. He can also step outside and shoot from long range.

In Spain, he buried 52.2% (12 of 23) of his attempts from three-point land.

Slovenia will take on Canada and Republic of Korea in Group C and should they progress to the quarter-finals, take on Croatia, Puerto Rico or Cameroon.

Three places for the Beijing Games are available at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which is being staged from July 14-20.

"I wish all the players and everybody around this national team much luck in the near future and hope to see them in Beijing even without me," Smodis said.

"If it's possible, I will come to Athens to cheer for them myself."

(Credit: FIBA. Click here for further information.)