Basketball World Cup, Serbia in the semifinals, Lithuania beaten 87-68: the match

From our correspondent Davide Romani

September 5th
– Manila (Philippines)

After 9 years, Serbia is back among the four teams that will compete for success at the World Cup in Manila, in the Philippines. In 2014 he then lost in the final with the USA. Bogdanovic is particularly inspired, Nikola Jovic shows his true value – not the draft seen against Italy – and Serbia beat Lithuania 87-68. Baltics who were one of the two teams – together with Germany in the field tomorrow against Latvia – to have not yet suffered defeats in this tournament.

the match

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Defense and when possible counter-attack in order not to allow Lithuania to line up in defence. The score thought by coach Pesic is simple but his players interpret it perfectly dominating from the beginning of the 2nd quarter until the end. The game remained in the balance in the first 10′ of the match when the Lithuanians, confident from the success obtained against the United States (110-104) started with the same percentages in the three-point shooting – they started 5/5, with the United States they reached 9/9 – and manage to keep their head ahead with a maximum lead of 6 points. The aggressiveness in defense of the Serbs takes Lithuania’s breath away as they can no longer find Linus’ blanket from the 3-pointer (0/5 in the 2nd quarter, 8/26 at the end of the match). Bogdanovic immediately gains confidence in the 2-point shot (6/7 in the first 20′ of the match) and then lands two triples – 18 points in the first half of the match – which dig the +11 with which Pesic’s team arrives at the long break. Serbia charges with head down, continues in the exaggerated pressure in defense and flies on the wings of enthusiasm: together with Bogdanovic (21 points with 75% from the head), Stefan and Niklola together with Guduric – 27 points in threes – guarantee a good points production while under the basket Milutinov limits the prowess of Valanciunas as much as possible, one of the most positive for Lithuania (11 points with 80% from the field). The last quarter is pure management for Serbia which also reaches +25. Mvp of the match Bogdan Bogdanovic. Serbia that on Friday in the semifinal will challenge the winner of Canada-Slovenia.