Serbia prevailed against underdogs Portugal with some difficulty. However, the game was overshadowed by the injury to captain Bogdan Bogdanovic and an unnecessary action by Filip Petrusev.
Serbia defeated underdog Portugal 80-69, with the Portuguese coming within seven points at times in the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, coach Svetislav Pesic allowed himself the luxury of not playing Nikola Jokic (23 points, 8/10 FG, 10 rebounds) in the final quarter – and he was right to do so. Three-pointers from Ognjen Dobric and Aleksa Avramovic calmed the nerves.
In addition to Jokic, captain Bogdan Bogdanovic was also missing in the fourth quarter after injuring his thigh in the first half and remaining in the locker room after the break. “We don’t know anything yet and are waiting for the doctors’ diagnosis,” Pesic said at the press conference.
Filip Petrusev was also no longer playing, but for other reasons. The big man was disqualified in the first quarter after a push, and late in the evening FIBA imposed a fine of €5,000 on the new Dubai BC player. Petrusev thus avoided a suspension, but his coach’s anger was certain.
Pesic takes Petrusev to task
“I only comment on things related to basketball,” Pesic clarified when asked about Petrusev. “That wasn’t basketball, it’s a matter of discipline. Where is the respect for the team and for yourself? A player on the Serbian national team cannot do something like that when I’m standing on the sideline as coach. It’s forbidden.”
Nevertheless, Pesic noted that he would forgive Petrusev and hoped that the player would learn something from this situation. With victories against Estonia and Portugal, the top favorite has done its job, and now host Latvia, which is already under pressure after its opening defeat against Turkey, awaits.
Pesic is certain that the performance against Portugal will not be enough against the Latvians.
“I hope this is the last time we play like this. That wasn’t us. You can’t win every game, but the attitude has to be right and there has to be respect for the opponent.”
