SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - As soon as the draw was done for the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, it was clear that the November 2024 window would be a must-watch in Group E, as Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina had a pair of games against each other.
The two neighboring nations delivered. First, it was a firecracker of a duel in Zagreb, with Croatia picking up an 89-76 win, opening up a possibility to book the tickets toward the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 already on Sunday.
However, coach Adis Beciragic and his team had other ideas in front of the packed stands of the Mirza Delibasic Arena in Sarajevo. After a 50-50 first half, the hosts switched through gears and opened up the third quarter with a 16-0 run.
Just like that, the chase was on for the tiebreaker. It came down to the final three minutes, which is when BIH found two heroes among their usual role players. Aleksandar Lazic knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, the first one of them being a one-legged attempt from the right wing, and Amar Gegic followed the lead with two of his own.
Bosnia and Herzegovina secured an easy going finish to the game, and Croatia's attempts to close the gap to -13 were futile.
It finished 110-90, sending both teams to 2-2, but BIH now own the tiebreaker. It could prove crucial, as France are up to 4-0, while Cyprus are already qualified as one of the four hosts of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
"Now I have to tell you something, the truth about this national team. Thank god we won, so I can say this: Vrabac's mom is in the hospital right now, she was literally fighting for her life, but he went out on the court, and did his best. I came from Madrid although they told me not to come. The size of Kamenjas' leg is like two balls, Gegic has a problem with his heel... We achieved an unbelievable victory. I don't need to tell you anything more about this national team. I love you Bosnia!"
Kenan Kamenjas was Bosnia and Herzegovina's best player on the day, with 21 points and 10 rebounds, getting an efficiency rating of 29, while his team were +25 in his 35 minutes of work.
Dzanan Musa scored 19 with 5 assists as he battled foul trouble, while Lazic and Gegic combined for 34 on 9-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc. Also in double digits, Amar Alibegovic with 18, and Edin Atic with 12.
Croatia got 28 from Mario Hezonja, but their chances of reaching the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 have diminished compared to the start of the game.
Both teams will play France and Cyprus in the February 2025 window, Croatia could advance either on points difference in case of a three-way tie with BIH and France at 4-2, or if they win one game more than Bosnia and Herzegovina in that window.
All other scenarios send BIH through.
FIBA