Serbia made a statement ahead of EuroBasket 2025 with a commanding 106-72 victory over Slovenia in a sold-out Belgrade Arena.
Nikola Jokic posted 10 points, eight rebounds, and four assists while orchestrating the Serbian offense with his trademark efficiency. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 14 points on 5-of-4 shooting from deep, and Nikola Jovic contributed 18 points and seven rebounds in a strong showing.
Slovenia relied heavily on Luka Doncic, who finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, but he struggled to find consistent support from his teammates. Klemen Prepelic scored 10, and Ziga Radovic had 13, though the visitors never mounted a serious comeback.
The matchup, billed as a major test before the continental championship, was decided early. Serbia outscored Slovenia 33-23 in the opening quarter and extended the lead to 64-38 by halftime. The third quarter widened the gap to 91-51, effectively sealing the result.
Coach Svetislav Pesic rotated his roster extensively, giving minutes to emerging talents such as Nikola Topic and Balsa Koprivica late in the game.
Defensively, Aleksa Avramovic applied full-court pressure on Doncic, disrupting Slovenia’s rhythm and energizing the Serbian unit. Tristan Vukcevic and Nikola Milutinov also provided interior presence, combining for 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Slovenia, coached by Aleksander Sekulic, struggled with turnovers and missed assignments, particularly when Doncic rested. The young supporting cast failed to match Serbia’s physicality and pace, leaving the team searching for adjustments before EuroBasket tips off.
This warmup showcased Serbia’s readiness for Group A in Riga, Latvia, where they will open against Estonia on August 27. Slovenia will begin Group D play in Katowice, Poland, against Poland on August 28. Both squads are considered medal contenders, but the lopsided margin in Belgrade raised questions about Slovenia’s depth heading into the tournament.
With Jokic in midseason form and Bogdanovic leading with experience, Serbia enters EuroBasket 2025 as one of the favorites. For Slovenia, the focus will be on finding reliable options alongside Doncic to avoid over-reliance on their superstar guard.
