The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov decorated today the Macedonian basketball team with “Medal of Merits for Macedonia” after coming out fourth at the European Championships in Lithuania. 

This high recognition is awarded for promoting the Republic of Macedonia in the world with the achieved results and for the outstanding contribution to the development and popularization of this sport in the country.

“Macedonia received the most desired sporting present for its 20th anniversary of independence. The success you have achieved is contagious and I am convinced that many similar achievements will be made in all spheres, in sports, culture and economy. Vlado Ilievski asked: What have we done? We can tell you what you have done; you have made Macedonia known in Europe! You have put Macedonia on the European basketball map”, President Ivanov said presenting the medals.

The President also added that the players by winning the heart of Macedonia and of all Macedonians, managed to unite the nation.

“There are clubs at home, but outside Macedonia there are teams! This is important for sports as it is crucial in the field of politics as well”, the Macedonian President stressed.

Medal of Merits were presented to Pero Antic, Vlado Ilievski, Lester Bo McCalebb, Ilija Dimcevski, Dimitar Mirakovski, Todor Gecevski, Darko Sokolov, Vojdan Stojanovski, Damjan Stojanovski, Marko Simonovski, Gjorgi Cekovski, Predrag Samardziski, Coach Marin Dokuzovski and other members of the team.

The President of the Macedonian Basketball Federation, Daniel Dimevski, thanking for the honor on behalf of the team, said that the success of the team managed to unlock a padlock which bolted Macedonia’s self-confidence. He noted that the players gave their best at the European Basketball Championship to achieve as much success as possible spending all their energy. Indeed, the Macedonian people, as a token of appreciation for the success, organized a magnificent reception for them. 

The medals were presented to the Macedonian basketball team in the Macedonian Opera and Ballet.