By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
They endured through a plague of injured/absent key players during the preparation period. They saw their main floor-general (Stefan Jovic) getting injured at a crucial moment near the end of the third period. Everything was against them.
Yet Serbia has basketball in its blood and you can’t beat that. They recovered. And they advanced to the first EuroBasket Final since 2009 by defeating Russia 87 – 79.
Bogdanovic like a true leader: He was brilliant throughout the whole game (24 points with 9/16 from the field plus 4 assists overall) but he saved the best for last and when his team needed him the most. As he always does.
When Russia approached 74 – 78 with 2:30 left, the Sacramento Kings guard fired a 3-pointer and then struck from mid-range to put his team at a safe, three-possession distance, 76 – 83 with one minute remaining. It was more than plenty for the “Orlovi”.
Shved’s career-high didn’t cut it for Russia: Alexey Shved registered a new international scoring record with 33 points (8/20 f.g. 11/12 free throws) plus 5 assists and scored from beyond the arc to retain its team’s hopes (79 – 83 with 31 seconds left) down the stretch. Yet Serbia wasn’t in the mood for handing any last-second gifts and retained control of the situation.
Marjanovic’s all-around impact: It was by far Boban Marjanovic’s most profound, versatile game with the jersey of his national team’s game. 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by the Detroit Pistons big guy that had an immense impact in his team dominating the first half (48-34) and setting the foundations for the upcoming victory.
(Photo credit: FIBA.basketball)