Qualified Team Focus, Serbia: Will they continue their Semi-Finals streak?

MIES (Switzerland) - The Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 lineup is now known and with the game schedule also confirmed, we're checking out the 12 nations bidding for glory at Paris 2024.

We're now jumping to Serbia, who are 10th in the FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike.

How they qualified

Serbia were left to sweat at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Belem, Brazil but got the job done in their must-win clash with hosts Brazil. That victory was enough to book a precious spot for Paris, having lost their opener to Germany and being edged out in their final group game against Australia. 

Record at the Olympics

Appearances: 3 - 2016 (3rd); 2020 (4th); 2024
Medals: 1 -🥉(2016)

Last appearance 

Having won their second FIBA Women's EuroBasket title only weeks earlier, there were strong hopes that Serbia could repeat their debut bronze medal that they took at Rio 2016. However, they just fell short at Tokyo 2020 as they lost to France in the Third Place Game. It was also a tearful end to the career of the legendary Sonja Vasic and the similarly revered Jelena Brooks. 

The Group phase 

Serbia have a Group that they will feel they can be super competitive in and continue their extended journey of success. It will take quite something to make three consecutive Olympic Semi-Finals, but opening their group phase against Puerto Rico should see them get off to a winning start and the confidence flowing.

They then face a tough task against China who they beat in the Quarter-Finals at Tokyo 2020 and then engage in what will be an epic matchup with arch European rivals, Spain.

Serbia Group Phase games

vs Puerto Rico (July 28)
vs China (July 31)
vs Spain (August 3)

Players to watch

It was a three-punch for Serbia in Belem, with guard duo Yvonne Anderson and Jovana Nogic shining and Dragana Stankovic exceptional in the paint. Anderson's experience and craftiness saw her lead the way in points, efficiency and assists, while Nogic and Stankovic have been balling out this past club season and head towards Paris in great form.

But Serbia has always been about the team ethic. Watch out for their veteran core including Tina Krajisnik, Sasa Cado and Nevena Jovanovic, while the changing of the generations is seeing Ivana Raca and Masa Jankovic among others rising up in prominence. Last week, Aleksandra Crvendakic announced on her social media that she is stepping away from the game of basketball at 28. She will be missed.

Qualified Team Focus series

During coming weeks and months, we will continue to check out all teams ready to step out at Paris 2024 as part of our Qualified Team Focus series. You can already take a look at USA, China, Australia, Spain, Canada, Belgium, France and Japan.

FIBA