FIBA EuroBasket: Turkey shocks Nikola Jokic-led Serbia

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Everyone just witnessed one of the most epic matchups in the ongoing FIBA EuroBasket tournament.

Entering the final game of the group phase with identical 4-0 undefeated records, powerhouse teams Turkey and Serbia not only knew what was at stake, but they also recognized that the winner would immediately boost their power ranking as the top contender to rule this year’s EuroBasket.

In a classic showdown filled with drama, tension, and run exchanges, Turkey emerged on top, 95-90, stunning the Serbians in the final action of Group A, on Sept. 4, 2025, at the Xiaomi Arena in Riga, Latvia.

Who couldn’t ask for a better slugfest?

Eight deadlocks and 15 lead changes. Truly a fitting summary about a heavyweight dogfight between two well-coached teams hungry to grab the win.

Serbia first jumped ahead to the lead in the first half, but Turkey answered back, leaning on their high-low post plays designed for Houston Rockets’ star center Alperen Sengun.

Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Nikola Jokic countered with his own run in the third, capitalizing on the several cross-mismatches he received after setting foot down the right block.

Both teams figured in a mano-a-mano duel throughout the game, but it was in the final three minutes of the ball game that Turkey inflicted damage when it mattered the most.

Trailing by four points, 84-88, Turkey closed the game on a demoralizing 11-2 run, led by Sengun, who manhandled Serbia’s paint with his offensive rebounding and isolation post-up plays.

Sengun scored six out of Turkey’s last 11 points and also made the biggest defensive stop after stripping Serbia’s point guard with only 22 seconds remaining in the fourth.

Serbia had the chance to retake the lead, 91-90, but Sengun’s steal prevented their chances of protecting their untainted FIBA EuroBasket record.

Sengun then sealed Turkey’s breakthrough dub with a perfect trip from the charity stripe, capping off the game with an all-around performance of 28 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists, to claim the TCL Player of the Game honors.

On the other hand, Jokic led Serbia with a near double-double outing of 22 markers, nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

“Well, they just left me open,” Sengun said after the win.

We had to make the open shots, too, otherwise we wouldn’t have had any chances against this Serbia team. So they left me open and I shot with confidence.”