Slovenia’s preparations for EuroBasket 2025 hit a setback after a 106-72 blowout loss to Serbia in Belgrade, where Luka Doncic’s frustration became a central storyline.
The Dallas Mavericks guard led Slovenia with 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, but he struggled to receive consistent help. Klemen Prepelic added 10 points, and Ziga Radovic scored 13, though Slovenia never mounted a real challenge.
Serbia controlled the game from the start, opening with a 33-23 first quarter and stretching the lead to 64-38 by halftime. By the third period, the margin ballooned to 40, effectively ending the contest.
Nikola Jokic orchestrated the Serbian attack with 10 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic hit four threes on his way to 14 points. Nikola Jovic provided an extra spark, finishing with 18 points and seven boards.
Defensively, Aleksa Avramovic disrupted Slovenia’s offense by applying full-court pressure on Doncic. Inside, Nikola Milutinov and Tristan Vukcevic combined for 21 points and 12 rebounds, giving Serbia control of the paint.
According to BasketNews, Slovenia head coach Aleksander Sekulic admitted that Doncic’s visible frustration reflected the need for stronger contributions from the supporting cast. SportKlub later reported that behind closed doors, Doncic addressed the team in a heated exchange.
Veteran forward Edo Muric confirmed the locker room discussion. “I don’t like to talk about what’s going on in the team. Yes, we had a conversation,” Muric said. “We cleared up a lot of things and said what needed to be said. This defeat actually brought us even closer.”
For Slovenia, the defeat highlighted recurring issues with depth and turnovers, particularly when Doncic rested. The team will need quick adjustments before opening Group D play against Poland on August 28 in Katowice.
Serbia, meanwhile, showcased its depth and balance ahead of its Group A opener versus Estonia on August 27 in Riga. With Jokic leading the charge and Bogdanovic providing perimeter firepower, they enter EuroBasket as one of the tournament favorites.
