PARIS (France) - They were second at FIBA EuroBasket final rounds 2009 and 2017, they were second at the 2016 Olympics, they were second at the FIBA Basketball World Cup events in 2014 and 2023. They were fourth at the World Cup in 2010 and the EuroBasket in 2015.
Now, in 2024, they finally found out what it's like to sing out with a win. Serbia defeated the reigning world champions Germany 93-83, picking up their first bronze as Serbia.
Turning point
It was a question on how Serbia will react to the early tip-off, with the game being played at 11:00 local time, especially after their heartbreak defeat to the United States in a late game two days prior.
Well, they reacted perfectly. They found Nikola Jokic early in their set offense, with Bogdan Bogdanovic and Vasilije Micic providing scoring from outside to pour in 30 points in the first quarter.
Defensively, they built a wall in the paint, forcing Germany to take 20 three-pointers in the first half. Only seven of those dropped in, meaning Serbia were up by eight after two quarters.
When Aleksa Avramovic went on his usual heat check and created a personal 7-0 run midway through the third quarter, the scoreboard said 64-45.
Germany did attempt a comeback, but Serbia stayed ready in the fourth quarter, keeping them at least three possessions away at all times.
Game hero
Add Nikola Jokic's name to the list of Olympic triple-doubles. Sasha Belov did it in 1976, LeBron James in 2012 and 2024, Luka Doncic in 2021, and now, Jokic in the Third-Place Game in 2024, too.
The Serbian megastar had 19 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, without committing a single turnover in 38 minutes of action.
Honorable mention: Vasilije Micic with 19 points off the bench.
Stats don't lie
Getting to the paint was crucial for Serbia, they were up 20-6 in points from that area at the half when they created the margin, finished the game +8 in that department.
Bottom line
Serbia wanted more, probably deserved more after erasing a 24-point deficit against Australia and leading by 17 against the United States, but once all the emotions settle down, they'll be extremely proud for finishing on the podium in Paris.
Expect most of the team to be back next summer too, as they will try to make it three medals in three summers after the silver at the World Cup in 2023 and bronze at the 2024 Olympics. Also, consider this an early birthday present for coach Svetislav Pesic, who turns 75 later this month.
As for Germany, their own plan of three medals in three summers fell apart on the last step. They are embarking on a new journey now, as coach Gordon Herbert announced he will leave the team at the end of the Olympics.
The Wagner brothers combined for 34 on the day, Dennis Schroder finished with 13.
They said
"We knew what it was like last summer in the Final against Germany, we knew what happened there. That's why we were motivated to hit back, and I'm really happy we got it done and now we have the Olympic medal." - Marko Guduric, Serbia
"Mentally we were better after our game against the United States than after our game against Australia." - Vanja Marinkovic, Serbia, saying it was easier to recover after the heartbreaking defeat to the United States
This feel like gold - Filip Petrusev
"Playing an early game was actually good because we had less time to think about what had happened two days ago. We showed incredible mental strength, we focused because we knew we deserved to win at least bronze here. This feels like gold. We're so happy and proud of each other. One important motive for us to get ready for this game was that defeat against Germany in Manila last summer, because we felt like we deserved gold back then." - Filip Petrusev, Serbia
"Our doctors and the coaching staff prepared us for this one perfectly, we felt like we were flying on the court for 40 minutes, and we pressured their best players the entire time. It's a beautiful win, for us this bronze feels like we won gold, believe me." - Aleksa Avramovic, Serbia
These guys gave their heart and soul for three years - Coach Herbert
"Everything in life comes to an end. Not the end we wanted, these guys gave their heart and soul for three years, these players. It's been a family, so to speak. Congratulations to Serbia. The French won't like me saying it, but this is the best team we played at the Olympics." - Germany head coach Gordon Herbert, ending his tenure as the national team coach
"Everybody is obviously heartbroken. First and foremost we gotta thank coach for everything he's done for the German Basketball Federation, for the national team, he brought something, the culture, the enjoyment, the environment we had in the locker room - he created that. He started it three years ago." - Dennis Schroder, Germany
"It's a huge success winning the bronze medal at the Olympics. Of course there's some sadness after that game against the USA, but we cannot go backwards. We can only be proud of what we have achieved today. It was a very difficult game, waking up at 7am and to come here at 11 to play and compete, I'm so proud of this achievement." - Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia
This was one of the most competitive tournament of all time - Coach Pesic
"This was one of the most competitive tournament of all time, one of the highest quality tournaments of all time. I'm really happy that we could participate in it, happy we got the win today, we controlled the game, played very solid game like against the USA. The plan was, and everybody who follows and understands basketball knows this, the targets were Schroder and Franz Wagner. We did a great job against both, this was important for us to bring us defense, new confidence. Defense is organization, offense is talent. It looked very easy on the offensive end, but it was not easy because Germany is one of the best of all time." - Serbia head coach Svetislav Pesic
"Both teams deserved to play the Final of these Olympics." - coach Pesic again
Quick notes
Serbia's second Olympic medal as an independent nation, after silver in 2016
Serbia scored 90+ in five of their six games at the 2024 Olympics. They only had two such games in 2004 and 2016
Franz Wagner finished the game with 18 points, scoring a total of 111 points at the Olympics. Only one other German player has had more than him across his first six games in the competition: Detlef Schrempf with 125
Nikola Jokic is the fourth player with a triple-double at the Olympics, but only the second one to have at least 11 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, after LeBron James did it in 2012 against Australia (11pts, 14reb, 12ast)
Nikola Jokic is the first player to have at least five double-doubles in a single tournament since Arvydas Sabonis (6) and Jose Ortiz (5) in 1996
FIBA