Nebojša Paraušić/Košarkaški savez Srbije

In the second round of the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifications, Georgia defeated Serbia with a score of 94:90.

The Serbian squad opened the match much better than the guests from Georgia, but in the end, visitors celebrated. The victory of Georgia was a surprise for the crowd in “Aleksandar Nikolić” Sports Hall.

In the first 10 minutes of the match, Serbia was controlling the ball and after 5 minutes was leading by 11 (15:4). At the end of the quarter, the result was 28:18 for the home squad.

Georgia was trying to get back in the game in the opening minutes of the second quarter. With 5:0 guests were getting closer and for the few minutes, Serbia was keeping the 5 to 9 points distance. But Aleksa Avramović scored for three in the 17th minute and the home team was leading by 11 (41:30). Again Georgia attacked Serbian basket and again was rejected in the second 10 minutes. The result was 48:41 foe Serbia at the end of the quarter.

The third quarter started in the same manner. Fast game, from basket to basket and after 5 minutes of the third part Georgia got dangerously close, only 3 points behind (53:50). Igor Kokoškov’s squad rejected again Georgia’s attack, but the opponent returned again and was only one point behind (60:59). After the third quarter, Serbia was leading by 2 (67:65).

In the last part of the match, guest from Georgia was leading for the first time with a score of 72:71. It was during the 37th minute. The only one who was focused during that period in Serbia was Aleksa Avramović. After he scored two threes in a row, Serbia was again leading against Georgia with a score of 81:76. But in the end, Georgia deserved their victory.

The leader of the Georgian team was Thaddus McFadden with 33 points and 7 assists (index rating of 31), while Giorgi Shermadini scored 23 with 11 rebounds (index rating of 29).

Aleksa Avramović was the best scorer in the Serbian squad. He scored 27 points, while Ognjen Jaramaz added 22.