By Semih Tuna/ info@eurohoops.net
Riga, Latvia – Serbia is one of the main favorites—if not the favorite—to win it all at EuroBasket 2025. And they started their road to gold in dominant fashion.
Nikola Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and co controlled the opener in Riga against Estonia, ultimately recording a statement 98-64 win.
Three-time NBA MVP played for 23 minutes but still managed to record a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, finishing just three assists shy of a triple-double.
However, it was Nikola Jovic who stole the show, as the Miami Heat forward finished with 18 points, six assists, and four rebounds, posting a team-high PIR of 26.
Filip Petrusev added 12 points, Bogdan Bogdanovic had 11, and Aleksa Avramovic chipped in 13 for the winning side, as all 12 Serbian players got on the scoresheet.
“We took the match seriously. We respected our principles on the court. We shut down their strongest weapon, which is the three-point shot. We deservedly celebrated at the end,” said Petrushev.
The point margin of 32 points is the biggest ever in Serbia’s Eurobasket history, and also, the winners dished out 32 assists, the second-best ever performance.
Ironically, the best performance is 33 assists, and it was also registered against Estonia, back in 2001.
On the other hand, Henri Drell scored 11 and Artur Konontsuk 10 points for Estonia.
Photo Credit: FIBA