(2023 Getty Images)
Serbia have advanced to their second-ever FIBA World Cup final with a 95-86 victory over Canada in Manila on Friday (8 September).
The Atlanta Hawks' Bogdan Bogdanovic led the way with 23 points, his sixth straight game with at least 15 points, and Nikola Milutinovic added a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Serbia last reached the final in 2014, when they were thumped 129-92 by USA who they could face in Sunday’s game. USA play Germany in the other semi-final.
“I’m so tired right now but I’m so happy as well,” said captain Bogdanovic, who shot an efficient 8-of-12 from the floor and also had three steals.
“We won tonight against a team that is amazing, leading with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Props to all the guys, unbelievable win.
“It’s going to be a fun and tough game. At this point you cannot calculate. I’m just happy we’re in the final and we’ll get ready.”
Appearing in their maiden World Cup semi-final, Canada were down 13 at the break - their biggest halftime deficit at the event since 1998 - and never recovered.
RJ Barrett had 23 points for the Canadians while Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points and dished out nine assists with Dillon Brooks providing 16 points.
Serbia led for all but three minutes of the game and went up by as much as 17 early in the fourth quarter.
The Serbs shot 62 per cent for the game, 45 per cent from downtown. Canada coach Jordi Fernandez said his team gave up way too much to stay in the game against a resilient Serbia side who arrived at the tournament without two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
A few days ago, they also lost Borisa Simanic who had to have his kidney removed following a freak injury he picked up in group play against South Sudan.
“We were OK offensively, we were atrocious defensively,” Fernandez said. “When a team shoots 62 per cent from the field and 45 per cent from 3, obviously something was not done well.
“We didn’t prepare well enough for the game. I know this is emotional for everybody but I know these guys will do whatever it takes to go get that (bronze) medal.”
Chimed in Barrett, “Credit Serbia, they played a great game. They played hard, they played physical.
“They’re very well coached and disciplined. They started out fast and we were down like 10, 12 the whole way.”