PARIS (France) – They finished second in the final rounds of the 2009 and 2017 EuroBasketball Championship, second at the 2016 Olympic Games and second at the 2014 and 2023 Basketball World Championships. They finished fourth at the 2010 World Championship and the 2015 EuroBasketball Championship.
Now, in 2024, they have finally experienced what it is like to stop with a win. Serbia defeated reigning world champions Germany 93-83 to claim its first bronze medal as a Serbian team.
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
The best pictures from the game
Turning point
It was questionable how Serbia would react to the early start of the game, as the match did not begin until 11:00 local time, especially after the bitter loss to the USA two days earlier in a late game.
Well, they responded perfectly. They found Nikola Jokic early in their offensive series, and Bogdan Bogdanovic and Vasilije Micic provided outside scoring, scoring 30 points in the first quarter.
Nikola Jokic had 10 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in the first half
Nikola Jokic had 10 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in the first half
Nikola Jokic had 10 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in the first half
Nikola Jokic had 10 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in the first half
Nikola Jokic had 10 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in the first half
Nikola Jokic had 10 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in the first half
Nikola Jokic had 10 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in the first half
Nikola Jokic had 10 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in the first half
Defensively, they formed a wall in the penalty box and forced Germany to attempt 20 three-point shots in the first half. Only seven of them went in, leaving Serbia with an eight-point lead after two quarters.
When Aleksa Avramovic made his usual heat check midway through the third quarter and went on a personal 7-0 run, the score was 64-45.
Although Germany attempted a comeback, Serbia remained ready in the fourth quarter and was able to maintain a distance of at least three possessions throughout.
Game Hero
Add the name Nikola Jokic to the list of Olympic triple-doubles. Sasha Belov did it in 1976, LeBron James in 2012 and 2024, Luka Doncic in 2021, and now Jokic in the third-place game in 2024.
Read the story about Nikola Jokic’s rare Olympic triple-double
All good things come in threes: Jokic finally achieves his first triple-double
The Serbian megastar scored 19 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists and did not cause a single turnover in 38 minutes of play.
Honorable mention: Vasilije Micic with 19 points as a substitute.
Statistics don’t lie
Getting into the zone was crucial for Serbia, and when they took the lead at halftime, they were ahead 20-6 from the zone and finished the game +8 in that regard.
Milutinov and Serbia dominated the color
Conclusion
Serbia wanted more and probably deserved more after overcoming a 24-point deficit against Australia and leading the USA by 17. But once the emotions have settled, they will be extremely proud to have stood on the podium in Paris.
Expect most of the team to be back next summer as they look to make it three medals in three summers, following silver at the 2023 World Championships and bronze at the 2024 Olympics. It’s also an early birthday present for coach Svetislav Pesic, who turns 75 later this month.
As for Germany, its own plan to win three medals in three summers fell through at the final stage. Now the team is embarking on a new journey, as coach Gordon Herbert has announced he will leave the team after the Olympics.
Moritz Wagner and the German national team ended the summer with a defeat for the first time in three years
The Wagner brothers scored a total of 34 points that day, while Dennis Schröder finished with 13.
*Stay tuned for quotes and short notes*
FIBA
