Because of Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia is within the semifinals for the third time within the remaining 4 International Cups.
MANILA, Philippines — Lithuania beat the U.S. on the 1998 global championships, then did not medal. Lithuania then beat the U.S. once more on the 2004 Olympics, then did not medal.
And historical past will repeat itself at this International Cup.
Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 18 of his 21 issues within the first part and Serbia — motivated by means of a major harm persisted by means of certainly one of its gamers — crowned in the past unbeaten Lithuania 87-68 within the International Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday in a end result that suggests Lithuania can not medal in Manila this weekend. The most efficient Lithuania can do now’s 5th position.
Bogdan Bogdanovic became in but some other terrific offensive day trip to tow Serbia to the Semi-Finals and earn TCL Participant of the Recreation honors 💪
📊 21 PTS | 4 REB | 69.2% FG | 2 STL | 25 EFF#FIBAWC x #WinForSrbija 🇷🇸 | #InspireGreatness percent.twitter.com/i7ze3Rmfjo
— FIBA Basketball International Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 5, 2023
📺 Serbia input the Semi-Finals for the 3rd time during the last 4 editions of the International Cup after getting rid of Lithuania!#FIBAWC x #WinForSrbija 🇷🇸 percent.twitter.com/CyJRV4Ni9d
— FIBA Basketball International Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 5, 2023
“The sport towards the USA, as you’ll be able to see now, it’s not anything,” stated Lithuania’s Tadas Sedekerskis, who led his staff with 14 issues. “It’s simply historical past. We don’t have any possibilities to struggle for the medal.”
Serbia performed with ahead Borisa Simanic’s jersey draped over a chair in its bench space. Simanic misplaced a kidney after being elbowed in a sport towards South Sudan remaining week; he wanted surgical operation after that sport, and headaches precipitated medical doctors to function once more Sunday and take away the broken kidney.
“He texted us this morning,” Bogdanovic stated. “He texted us, ‘Howdy, guys, I’m all proper. After two surgical procedures, I’m all proper. I’m wholesome. Simply get the win. Don’t take into consideration me and let’s win this night.’ It was once an enormous spice up and enormous power this night, so because of Borisa. This was once additionally for him.”
“That is for Borisa, as smartly.” ❤️#FIBAWC x #WinForSrbija 🇷🇸 percent.twitter.com/FVmZ1xDk36
— FIBA Basketball International Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 5, 2023
The loss continues a odd jinx for Lithuania, which is 3-8 all-time towards the U.S. on the senior males’s nationwide degree — and has became the ones 3 wins into precisely 0 medals. Lithuania was once enjoying lower than 48 hours after beating the U.S. 110-104 to near out second-round play in Manila.
However after Tuesday’s loss, Lithuania insisted it wasn’t nonetheless reveling in beating the American citizens.
“I will ensure 100% that we forgot it,” Sedekerskis stated.
Serbia (5-1) will play Canada or Slovenia in Friday’s semifinals. The Canada-Slovenia quarterfinal sport is Wednesday; the loser performs Lithuania (5-1) within the comfort playoffs Thursday. Groups can not medal after dropping within the quarterfinals, however will play two extra video games earlier than leaving Manila to decide 5th via 8th position within the event’s general standings.
Serbia is within the semifinals for the 3rd time on the remaining 4 International Cups. It misplaced to Turkey within the semifinals of the 2010 event (after which fell to Lithuania within the bronze-medal sport) and misplaced to the U.S. within the identify sport of the 2014 tournament.
Filip Petrusev scored 17 issues and Stefan Jovic added 11 for Serbia.
Rokas Jokubaitis had 13 issues and 9 assists, whilst Jonas Valanciunas and Ignas Brazdeikis scored 11 apiece for Lithuania.
