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- How the Young Eagles defeated Spain and reached the final
- Serbia plays against Slovenia, the tournament host
Serbia – Slovenia (kick-off at 7 PM)
Match Preview
No one can match Serbia at the U20 European Championship. The Young Eagles have been dominant, and Spain presented a true test in the semi-finals, which Nemanja Jovanović's squad passed with flying colors. Despite a dramatic finish, the Young Eagles outplayed the Red Fury 72:65 and will now battle host nation Slovenia for gold this week.
Serbia is proud of its U17 basketball players who won silver at the World Championship, and equally proud of its U20 basketball players who are tearing through the European Championship in Ljubljana.
Nemanja Jovanović's team has reached the final, where they will attempt to claim the title against host Slovenia at the Stožice Arena this week. The match tips off at 7 PM.
Serbia last won gold at the U20 European Championship 11 years ago, with players like Marko Gudurić, Dejan Davidovac, Nikola Rebić, Ognjen Jaramaz, and Marko Tejić bringing home the top honors.
Ahead of the final showdown at the Stožice Arena, head coach Nemanja Jovanović stated:
"It's a very tough competition format. This is our sixth game in eight days. It's hard to say it was expected, but it's 100% deserved. These guys executed everything we prepared. They played hard and rightfully earned their spot in the final." - Nemanja Jovanović
Where to watch the live TV broadcast?
Currently, TV Arena's schedule does not indicate a broadcast of the match, but if you wish to watch it, you can do so on FIBA's official YouTube channel.
Who are the players bringing Serbia a medal?
Who are the key players driving this dominant generation towards a European medal?
Mitar Bošnjaković: One of the most prominent names in this squad. A player with high basketball IQ, excellent physique, and mature gameplay. Against Greece, he showcased his versatility with 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists, proving to be the true engine of this team.
Nikola Džepina: A force in the paint and a player who brings much-needed toughness. Against the "Hellenes," he was the most efficient player with 14 points. His energy in the key will be crucial for neutralizing Spain's big men.
Miloš Šojić: An incredibly valuable player who does immense work on both ends of the court. In the quarter-final rout of Greece, he added 13 points and five rebounds, confirming his role as one of the most consistent cogs in Jovanović's machine.
Nikola Bundalo and Andrej Lučić: A duo that brings tremendous energy and offensive firepower from outside. Both scored 12 points against the Greeks at crucial moments when the game was on the line and Serbia built a decisive double-digit lead.
The strength of this Serbian team lies not only in its starting five but also in its exceptionally deep bench and the warrior mentality of all 12 players who traveled to Slovenia. Representing our country in this tournament are also players who can turn the tide of a game at any second: Matija Popović, Petar Radović, Marko Tofoski, Andrija Đurić, Aleksa Stanojević, Petar Ostojić, and Uroš Šuput.
This team consists of players born in 2006 and later. This is the generation that, two years ago in Finland, under the guidance of Vule Avdalović, became European vice-champions after losing to Germany in the final. Although several key names from that roster, such as Savo Drezgić, Ognjen Srzentić, Luka Marković, Luka Jovanović, Aleksa Dimitrijević, and Andrej Kostić, are absent in Ljubljana, this team has demonstrated incredible depth.
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