Sensation at the SEM basketball! Tophavorit Serbia has already failed sensationally in the round of 16. The German group opponent Finland forced the Serbs to their knees with 92:86. Some fans ran the tears of disappointment over their face before the final whistle. In 2022 in Berlin, the team was also eliminated in the round of the last 16, then against Italy.
It is the greatest sensation at the tournament so far. Because despite the defeat against Turkey, which also cost the group victory, Serbia was considered a big favorite on the gold medal and was thus seen by many experts the greatest competitor for Germany.
But superstar Nikola Jokic now failed with his team. The leader had completed his best game. He came to 33 points and eight rebounds. But the center clearly lacks the support of its teammates. That annoyed Jokic tremendously during the game. He kept getting upset, raged in the meantime on the bench and also got a technical foul against himself because he was so verbally affected by one of the referees.
Above all, the failure of Bogdan Bogdanovic weighed hard. Especially since his representative Alexa Avramovic could hardly play due to a heel injury and Serbia had no building actor in top shape.
Basketball-em: Markracies celebrate emotional
At the Finns, Lauri Markkanen once again progressed. The NBA Hüne achieved 29 points. After the final whistle, he jumped around with enthusiasm like a small child. The fans celebrated the team with one La-Ola wave after the other.
“It was an incredible performance of our team. We needed each of our players and everyone delivered. Our fans and of course the coaches also contributed a large part to this victory. We still have a lot going on, but we will first enjoy the victory,” said a excessive marker after the game in the mixed zone.
When asked about the importance of this victory for him personally, the NBA star became emotional: “It is certainly one of my most important victories in my career. For me it is an incredible honor to play in the Finland jersey.”
“We were in the quarter -finals for the time being. For this reason alone, but also because of the opponent we did, an unbelievable team, it is one of the most important victories I have experienced,” added the Finn.
Jokic rages and flies out
The team of coaching legend Svetislav Pesic had beaten the world champion Germany at the Supercup in Munich in preparation and thus impressively underlined their title ambitions. But Serbia was already stumbled.
The sensation started in the initial phase. Finland started with an 11: 1 and hit out of the field. But Serbia fought back quickly and led 44:40 at the break.
From then on, the game remained exciting and no team settled significantly. So the decision was made in the last few minutes. Finland used Clever that Jokic wanted to risk just as little with four fouls on the defensive as Nikola Jovic and hit important throws.
