Serbia left Canada on the road and made it to the final

Svetislav Pesic’s team dominated from start to finish and qualified for the meaning of the tournament.

In the first semifinal of the World Cup, Serbia hit the table by eliminating one of the most important candidates. The Europeans who, in their absence, did not come to the tournament as one of the favorites, left the seat, led by Svetislav Pešić. The strategy of the Europeans was perfect, and they got a victory that ensured them a medal in this competition. The final 95 to 86, though, doesn’t do justice to the dominance they had throughout the match.

A first half dominated by the intensity applied by Serbia. The Europeans seemed to be in every sector of the pitch, achieving something that until then seemed almost impossible: controlling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Constantly pressing, they allowed just five points, with just one conversion from the field in 20 minutes. Those led by Pesic also won the aerial fight (17-9), and the points in the painted area (22-12). Canada stayed afloat thanks to good shooting from the perimeter, but no safety from the mid range. Bogdan Bogdanovic is the great standard bearer of the European offensive; had 15 units and 3 assists before going to the locker room; in 52 to 37 parts

In the second half it seems that a reaction may come from the North Americans. Those led by Jordi Fernández managed to get close to seven units on more than one occasion, thanks to the displays of several key players. But at the end of the third set the Europeans really showed that they didn’t want to suffer. Again they were tough in the defense of the first line, they were able to run the court, they developed good pair games and, again, they had Bogdanovic in all his glory. “You fight together” asked Jordi Fernández at the beginning of the last set, but the blow was too strong. Serbia dominated from start to finish and gave Canada, who will fight for third place on Sunday, no chance.

The figures:

Five players finished in double figures scoring on the winning team. Bogdan Bogdanovic was the team’s leading scorer with 23 points and 8/12 from the field. He was joined by Nikola Milutinov, who had a double double: 16 points and 10 rebounds. There were also 16 scored by Ognjen Dobric. Marko Gudric was also important with 12 goals.

In Canada, RJ Barrett finished as the top scorer. The Knicks player had some moments of individual play that put him above his usual performance. He finished with 23 points and 3 rebounds. He was joined by Dillon Brooks with 16, despite quickly getting complicated with fouls. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 15 goals, but some of them completely spoiled the game in favor of Serbia.

the grand finale