Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Serbia hands Lithuania first loss, reaches semis

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Tuesday, 05 September 2023 08:31

MANILA, Philippines -- Lithuania beat the U.S. at the 1998 world championships, then failed to medal. Lithuania then beat the U.S. again at the 2004 Olympics, then failed to medal.

And history will repeat itself at this World Cup.

Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 18 of his 21 points in the first half and Serbia -- motivated by a serious injury endured by one of its players -- topped previously unbeaten Lithuania 87-68 in the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals Tuesday in a result that denies Lithuania the chance at a medal in Manila this weekend. The best Lithuania can do is take fifth place.

"The game against the United States, as you can see now, it's nothing," said Lithuania's Tadas Sedekerskis, who led his team with 14 points. "It's just history. We don't have any chances to fight for the medal."

Serbia played with forward Borisa Simanic's jersey draped over a chair in its bench area. Simanic lost a kidney after being elbowed in a game against South Sudan last week; he needed surgery after that game, and complications prompted doctors to operate again Sunday and remove the damaged kidney.

"He texted us this morning," Bogdanovic said. "He texted us, 'Hey, guys, I'm all right. After two surgeries, I'm all right. I'm healthy. Just get the win. Don't think about me and let's win tonight.' It was a huge boost and huge energy tonight, so thanks to Borisa. This was also for him."

The loss continues a peculiar jinx for Lithuania, which is 3-8 all time against the U.S. at the senior men's national level -- and has turned those three wins into exactly zero medals. Lithuania was playing less than 48 hours after beating the U.S. 110-104 to close out second-round play in Manila.

But after Tuesday's loss, Lithuania insisted it wasn't still reveling in beating the Americans.

"I can guarantee 100% that we forgot it," Sedekerskis said.

Serbia (5-1) will play Canada or Slovenia in Friday's semifinals. The Canada-Slovenia quarterfinal game is Wednesday; the loser plays Lithuania (5-1) in the consolation playoffs Thursday. Teams cannot medal after losing in the quarterfinals, but will play two more games before leaving Manila to determine fifth through eighth place in the tournament's overall standings.

Serbia is in the semifinals for the third time in the past four World Cups. It lost to Turkey in the semifinals of the 2010 tournament (and then fell to Lithuania in the bronze-medal game) and lost to the U.S. in the title game of the 2014 event.

Filip Petrusev scored 17 points and Stefan Jovic added 11 for Serbia.

Rokas Jokubaitis had 13 points and nine assists, while Jonas Valanciunas and Ignas Brazdeikis scored 11 apiece for Lithuania.

Read 83 times

Soccer

Ange: City game my worst experience as manager

Ange: City game my worst experience as manager

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said he suffered cold sw...

What the heck is going on with the Portland Thorns? Their wild season so far explained

What the heck is going on with the Portland Thorns? Their wild season so far explained

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Portland Thorns are two victories away from tying the NWSL reco...

Juventus sack Allegri days after cup final antics

Juventus sack Allegri days after cup final antics

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMassimiliano Allegri has been sacked by Juventus, the club announce...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBoston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is expected to remain side...

Budenholzer: I'd coach this Suns team if on moon

Budenholzer: I'd coach this Suns team if on moon

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Mike Budenholzer got a little teary-eyed talking about h...

Baseball

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsComparisons to Tony Gwynn began to follow Luis Arráez when he first...

Dodgers activate Heyward, place Muncy on IL

Dodgers activate Heyward, place Muncy on IL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers shuffled their roster Friday...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated