Serbia and Slovenia played the final preparation game last week in Belgrade, before the start of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 on August 27. And it was amazing. For Serbia at least. The game ended with a crushing score of 106-72, a 34-point win for Serbia.
The game was practically decided in the first half. Serbia opened with a 10–0 run, finished the first quarter 33–23, and then blew the game open with a 16–5 surge in the second period to build a 21-point cushion (49–28). From there, the hosts moved forward decisively and took control of the entire game.
In the wake of the complicated environment in Serbia right now, with the protests still happening and people on the streets, Belgrade showed its prettiest face to the world on August 21st. In front of 20,000 people, this basketball game was a unique experience because it was all about the good game and powerful shots. Sportsmanship at its best.
The atmosphere was mostly light with cheering and laughing, families with kids, friends, and relatives enjoying the show. As it should be. We came to see some of the best players in the world, to relax, cheer, and to send them away with best wishes to bring the gold home in the following tournament.
The Slovenians struggled both with their own actions and with the Serbian defence strategy. And maybe the full Arena cheering for Serbia surprised them a bit. But it’s for sure they were overpowered early in the game, and they never recovered.
Serbia now heads into EuroBasket unbeaten in the preparation games, winning all seven of them. Slovenia, unfortunately, managed just one victory in six outings.
At EuroBasket 2025, Serbia will play in Group A alongside Latvia, Portugal, Estonia, Turkiye, and the Czech Republic. Slovenia will be part of Group D with Poland, Iceland, Belgium, Israel, and France.
We will watch the games and hope for the gold. Cheers!
text: Bojana Jakimov
