If you were living in Slovenia in 1970 it was difficult not to fall in love with the game of basketball.

In that year Ljubljana, which is now the capital of Slovenia, but was then a part of Yugoslavia, hosted the final round of the FIBA World Championships, and for locals it was a dream outcome.

A younger Zoran Predin was more at home in a gym than on stage.

The hosts, led by players like Kresimir Cosic, won the gold medal after defeating the likes of Italy, Brazil and the United States. Their only loss came in their final game to the powerful Soviet Union, but by then they had already clinched a gold medal.

"Me and my school friends, we were 12-years-old and we went completely crazy for basketball." says Zoran Predin, a native of Maribor, Slovenia's second largest city.

"We spent all day at the playground becoming friends for a lifetime. Basketball was our life at that time."

Predin would go on to become one of Slovenia's most celebrated musicians, fronting the rock band Lacni Franz, before striking out on a solo career that has seen him release countless successful albums. As a young man though, he focused most of his attention on the basketball court.

"I played at a very high level until I was 15," says Predin, who was even called to participate in training camp for one of Yugoslavia's youth national teams, where he played with future stars like Peter Vilfan.

"I dislocated my hip during one game and when they took me to the hospital and did x-rays the doctors told me I had shallow hips and it would likely happen again.  They advised me to stop playing basketball competitively."

So at 15 Predin traded a basketball for a guitar, which is not to say that he has never looked back. The 51-year-old is still a rabid fan of the game.

"I personally know Coach Jure Zdovc and I wish him good luck. I watch and read everything about the national team."

When the national team isn't on his mind, his favorite club side Union Olimpija helps to feed his basketball jones, and like most artists he has little trouble expressing his feelings about the game.

"It's a brain and body sport for me," he says.

"A gentleman's sport in which all the rules are clear, but there is still a lot of space left for the individual."

It's that individual aspect of the game that worries Predin when asked for a prediction on his national teams chances in Poland.

"Secretly I wish for the final, but I'm aware of all the problems that can happen on a team made up of so many great individuals." He says.

"All I can do is cross my fingers."