WC Qualifiers: Serbia secure road win, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro fall short
Serbia picked up a valuable win in Italy, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro were handed defeats in the latest FIBA World Cup Qualifiers action.
(Photo: FIBA)
Bosnia and Herzegovina were beaten by Lithuania 78:73 in Vilnius in the second round of the second phase of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
The visitors made a strong start, taking a 23:20 lead after the opening quarter and remaining in front for much of the first half. Bosnia and Herzegovina continued to hold the advantage at halftime, leading 46:42.
Lithuania responded after the break and gradually shifted the momentum in its favour. The hosts won the third quarter 19:12 to enter the final period with a 61:58 lead.
Bosnia and Herzegovina remained within striking distance in the closing minutes, but Lithuania managed to maintain its advantage and secure the win.
Luka Garza and Adin Vrabac were among the players to make important contributions for the visitors, while Lithuania found enough in the fourth quarter to close out the game.
Serbia recorded an important 76:64 victory over Italy in Pesaro in Group J of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
The two teams were closely matched in the opening quarter, with Serbia holding a narrow 20:19 lead after ten minutes. The visitors then produced their best stretch of the first half, winning the second quarter 20:12 and taking a 40:31 advantage into halftime.
Italy responded after the break and managed to cut Serbia's lead, setting up a competitive final quarter. Serbia, however, regained control when it mattered most, outscoring the hosts 19:10 in the final ten minutes to secure the victory.
Marko Gudurić and Aleksa Avramović led Serbia's offensive effort, while Nikola Jokić also contributed to the team's performance as Serbia strengthened its position in the group.
Montenegro suffered a 98:89 defeat to Ukraine in Podgorica, ending the latest FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window with two losses.
Ukraine took a one-point lead after the opening quarter and extended its advantage in the second, heading into halftime with a 46:40 lead.
Montenegro came out strongly after the break and briefly moved ahead in the third quarter. Ukraine responded, though, and finished the period with a strong run to establish a 72:62 advantage heading into the final ten minutes.
The visitors then built an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter. Montenegro fought back and reduced the deficit, but Ukraine held its ground in the closing stages to secure the win.
Yogi Ferrell led Montenegro with 22 points, while Jovan Kljajić added 13. For Ukraine, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk scored 23 points, with Oleksandr Kovlijar and Dmytro Skapintsev each adding 15.
FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Group J Monday, 31 August 2026:
LITHUANIA – Bosnia and Herzegovina 78:73 (20:23, 22:23, 19:12, 17:15)
Tubelis 23, Marciulionis 23 | Nurkić 20, Garza 14.
Italy – SERBIA 64:76 (19:20, 12:20, 23:17, 10:19)
Mannion 23, Fontecchio 15 | Avramović 20, Gudurić 19.
Group I:
Montenegro – UKRAINE 89:98 (18:19, 22:27, 22:26, 27:26)
Ferrell 22, Kljajić 13 | Mykhailiuk 23, Kovliar 15.
