The surprise visit of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, was arranged in agreement with the captain of the Macedonian basketball team, Pero Antic. President Ivanov surprised the Macedonian basketball players, visiting them during their training held yesterday evening in the sports hall "Boris Trajkovski".

Before the Macedonian basketball team goes to Slovenia, where the Macedonian basketball players will compete in EuroBasket 2013, President Ivanov wished them much success and luck in the upcoming championship.

It is certainly the motive for winning high scores on the forthcoming championship that made me surprise my teammates arranging this surprise, said Antic, the team's captain.

President Ivanov expressed support to the Macedonian team on behalf of all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and urged them to believe in themselves and in their qualities, noting that the successes achieved so far should be an additional incentive for winning high scores at the upcoming Championship in Slovenia.

Pero Antic, on behalf of the team, thanked for the support, stressing that it is an honor to defend the colors of Macedonia and that the players will do their best to justify the expectations and once again to be the pride of the entire public.

As a token of appreciation for the visit and for the sincere wishes, the national team players bestowed President Ivanov a jersey.