Slovenia U 18 – Serbia U18 67:70 ( 16:13, 18:19, 20:20, 13:18)
U18 Men national team of Serbia won bronze medal at the European Championship in Izmir. The team coached by Vladimir Djokic was better than Slovenia in the placement game.
Slovenian team started the game slightly better. At the middle of the second period Slovenian team had the advantage of 10 points. However, this did not discourage our players and one minute and 45 seconds before the end of the first half time , our players came to 33:32, but they did not use several changes to overtake the result. Luckily , their defense was well, and Slovenia increased its advantage only for one point by the end of the first half.
At the beginning of the second half our team continued in good rhythm and soon , with the three points scored by Milijasevic, at the end of the 26th minute, the difference was seven points for our team – 47:40.
But , Slovenia had a serial of 9:2 and tie score – 49:49. Even though the opponent ended the third period better , our players opened the last period better – with serial of 10:2 and led 62:66. This was not the end. Once again Slovenia came to 66:67 before the last 50 seconds. Djokovic (twice) and Djurici , with free throws, defended and at the end our team celebrated.
Reaching the semi finals our U18 team secured placement to World Championship that is to be played next summer.
Djordje Djuricic with 21 point ( six three throws out of 15) was the best, Laza Djokovic scored 19 points with 9 rebounds, and Ilija Milijasevic contributed with 11 points.
Ilija Milijasevic was named into the starting five of the tournament.