Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic admits he was almost lost to basketball.

The Serb says he grew up playing the sport, along with football.

"I like basketball. In Serbia it's a very popular sport and a lot of people enjoy playing and watching it, especially because the national team is very good. I played when I was younger but not to a particularly high standard, it was just mainly while I was at school," he told chelseafc.com.

"I was quite good but football was always my main sport so I pursued that instead. I still enjoy watching basketball, I follow the Serbian league and the NBA, but I wouldn't say I have a favourite team or player."