MAGNIFICENT NIGHT IN SKENDERIJA: Basketball Dragons Celebrate Statehood Day with Triumph over Croatia

(Patria) - Bosnia and Herzegovina triumphed over Croatia with an unprecedented game and result in the packed Mirza Delibašić Hall in Skenderija. The final score was 110:90. Our team made up for the -13 deficit from Zagreb, and now one win separates us from qualifying for EuroBasket.

With tonight's triumph in Skenderija, the Dragons celebrated Bosnia and Herzegovina's Statehood Day in the best possible way.

Croatia opened the game with a point from Branković, while on the other side, Alibegović executed a brilliant drive.

However, in the very next attack, Croatia hit a three-pointer, scored by Dario Drežnjak. Drežnjak then stole the ball and passed to Hezonja, who dunked for 7:2.

This was followed by free throws for Kenan Kamenjaš. Kameni made both shots.

Shortly after, Džanan Musa stepped to the free-throw line, fully bringing Bosnia back into the game, and the score after four minutes was 9:8 in favor of Croatia.

In the continuation, Atić had to stop Hezonja with a foul, and the Croatian basketball player went to the free-throw line, making both shots for 11:8.

After that, Jalen Smith successfully defended Bosnia and Herzegovina's attack, giving Croatia a new chance to increase the lead, which Luka Božić did.

On the other side, Edin Atić hit a three-pointer for 13:11.

However, Jaleen Smith responded to Atić's three with a three-pointer of his own. On our side, Musa, Atić, and Alibegović attempted three-pointers, but all three missed.

Lazić managed to correct Musa's shot and scored for 16:13, reducing Croatia's lead.

Edin Atić tried to quickly resolve an attack but was eventually fouled by Drežnjak and went to the free-throw line three minutes before the end of the first quarter. Atić missed the second free throw, but Kamenjaš grabbed the rebound.

After the attack, Kamenjaš attempted a post-up but made a very poor shot toward the basket. Hezonja punished this with a three-pointer for 19:14 in favor of Croatia.

However, on the other side, Amar Alibegović immediately responded with a three-pointer for 19:17. Several poor attacks followed on both sides without points.

A minute before the end, Alibegović attempted a shot over Hezonja and scored fantastically, but unfortunately injured his ankle in the process.

Up to that point, Alibegović had 9 points and was the leading name for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, forcing him to leave the game. Edin Atić replaced Alibegović on the court.

With these points, Alibegović tied the game at 19:19. On the other side, the referees called a foul on Lazić against Šamanić, which was a truly questionable decision, but Luka made both free throws for Croatia.

The score was then 21:19 in favor of Croatia, and it remained 21:19 until the end. The phenomenal Amar Gegić took responsibility, scoring under a foul and earning the chance to give the BiH national team the lead.

Gegić made the shot, bringing Bosnia and Herzegovina into the lead at 22:21, which was the first lead for Bosnia and Herzegovina in Skenderija. The Dragons could have finished with a larger margin, but Musa missed a floater.

Croatia had the final attack, and Hezonja attempted a shot from over eight meters but missed. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 22:21.

Croatia quickly regained the lead in the second quarter, but Aleksandar Lazić brought Bosnia and Herzegovina back into the lead with a brilliant three-pointer for 25:23.

Good defense by the Dragons followed, causing Croatia's attack to expire on their next attempt.

However, Bosnia and Herzegovina's attack also failed to produce new points, leaving the score at 25:23. Drežnjak tied the game for Croatia with a layup.

Then came a sort of horror movie directed by tonight's referees. Skenderija greeted almost every decision with whistles.

The tough contest continued, and practically throughout the entire second quarter, neither team had a lead greater than three points.

Skenderija exploded three minutes before the end when Musa hit a three-pointer for 42:39, but Dario Drežnjak quickly scored for 42:42.

Amar Alibegović returned to the court and was able to continue the game. It was Alibegović who hit a three-pointer a minute before the end for 47:47.

Croatia tried to score through Branković, who again hit a three-pointer.

The final attack for BiH in the game, ten seconds before the end, was handled by Lazić, who responded with a three-pointer. The halftime score was 50:50.

Alibegović opened the third quarter fantastically, hitting another three-pointer! After that, the Dragons defended an attack, and Musa was fouled, going to the free-throw line.

Musa made both shots, giving Bosnia and Herzegovina a +5 lead. Excellent defense by BiH followed, and then Kamenjaš dunked fantastically for +7.

Another good defense, and then a true eruption in Skenderija: Amar Gegić hit a three-pointer under a foul, then made the free throw for 61:50!

A great steal by Alibegović followed, and then a phenomenal three-pointer by Džanan Musa for an unreal and incredible 66:50!

From the free-throw line, Božić reduced the deficit to 14. Then came a fantastic three-pointer by Amar Gegić, who once again brought the crowd to its feet!

Four minutes before the end of the third quarter, the score was 71:52, truly an unreal third quarter. Probably unprecedented in the history of the Bosnia and Herzegovina basketball national team.

By the end of the quarter, Lazić and Atić hit three-pointers. A minute before the end of the third quarter, the score was an unreal 81:63. In the final minute, Adin Vrabac scored for 83:63, which was the final score of the third quarter.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina national team started the fourth quarter without Atić, as Edin committed his fifth foul.

Croatia managed to reduce the deficit to 14 points with several good attacks, but Kamenjaš restored the 16-point lead with his points. With 5:45 left, BiH led 91:75.

A minute later, Hezonja hit a three-pointer, making the score 91:78 with 4:52 remaining, and Adis Bećiragić called a timeout.

Lazić hit a three-pointer, and on the other side, Hezonja responded, making the score 94:80 with 3:11 left. Hezonja was fouled, and on the first free throw, the ball rimmed out. Mario made the second, reducing the lead to 94:81.

And then delirium: Aleksandar Lazić hit another three-pointer! The score was 97:81!

Then, the final seconds sealed Bosnia and Herzegovina's triumph with a final score of 110:90.

Kamenjaš was the most efficient with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists, followed by Džanan Musa with 19, Amar Alibegović with 18, and Aleksandar Lazić also scored 18.

Amar Gegić finished the game with 16 points, hitting the last two three-pointers of the game.