Serbian basketball players reach Olympic semi-finals after overtime and a big comeback

(Patria) - The Serbian national basketball team defeated Australia in Paris today after overtime with a score of 95:90 and qualified for the Olympic Games semi-finals.

Serbia made an unbelievable comeback in the Olympic Games quarter-finals against Australia. The Eagles were down by 24 points at one point, but with a phenomenal performance in the second half, they achieved victory and advanced to the semi-finals.

For most of the first quarter, the game was even. The Australians had a constant lead, but Serbia was close until the last two minutes when the Australians went on a big run.

Patty Mills was unstoppable. At the end of the first quarter, with a 12:0 run, Australia took a 14-point lead after ten minutes of play, 31:17.

Mills and his team continued to rain down on Serbia's basket in the second quarter. The difference went up to plus 24, 44:20.

Pešić then decided to play with two centers. Jokić and Milutinov were on the court, and Serbia managed to slow down the agile Australians and reduce the deficit.

The Australians' shooting stalled at that moment. Serbia got within 11 points at one point, and the teams went into halftime with Australia leading by 12 points, 54:42.

The third quarter saw a complete comeback for Serbia in the game. Svetislav Pešić's team finally clicked, they played tough defense and completely stopped their opponents at that moment.

With a three-pointer by Bogdan Bogdanović six minutes before the end of the third quarter, Serbia got within four points (60:56). A timeout followed, which brought nothing for the Australians, another turnover was made, which Dobrić punished with a three-pointer for 60:59.

The Australians couldn't hit anything, the ball moved very slowly in the offensive phase, and three and a half minutes before the end of the third quarter, Bogdanović scored for two to give Serbia the lead, 61:60.

Australia kept turning the ball over, but they were lucky that Serbia didn't capitalize with several missed shots by Nikola Jokić, so the Eagles had only a two-point lead after three quarters, 67:65.

The final quarter saw a great battle on both sides. Vasilije Micić played brilliantly at that moment, and most importantly, Patty Mills was stopped.

However, the Eagles couldn't pull away, they made mistakes in the offensive phase, so with a three-pointer by Giddey three minutes before the end, the score was tied, 78:78.

Micić responded by hitting three free throws for a new three-point lead, Australia didn't give up, so Serbia entered the last 30 seconds with an 81:80 lead.

Micić then missed one of two free throws for 82:80, Australia had 10 seconds to force overtime or win. The incredible Patty Mills hit a shot one second before the end, sending the game into overtime, 82:82.

There were plenty of thrills in the additional five minutes as well. Australia had a better start, the Serbs responded, Jokić took responsibility and led Serbia to the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the USA vs. Brazil match.

Nikola Jokić led Serbia to victory with 21 points and 14 rebounds, Bogdan Bogdanović scored 17, and Vasilije Micić added 14.

For Australia, Patty Mills scored 26, and Josh Giddey scored 25.

(sportsport.ba)