Serbia storms into FIBA U17 World Cup semi-finals
In Istanbul the Serbian under‑17 men’s basketball team clinched a decisive 101‑78 victory over Lithuania, securing a spot in the semi‑finals of the FIBA U17 World Cup 2026.
Among the standout performers was Nikola Kusturica, who poured in 30 points while also pulling down 7 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists, stealing 3 balls and blocking 2 shots. His all‑court contribution has been a constant throughout the tournament, where he is averaging 22.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.4 steals and 2.0 blocks.
A standout performance
Serbian head coach Stevan Mijovic did not hold back, describing Kusturica as the most talented player the country has produced in the last two decades.
The win marks Serbia’s continued push for a podium finish, a goal they have chased since their bronze‑medal run at the 2014 edition of the competition.
Coach hails a generational talent
The rivalry with Lithuania added extra spice to the encounter. Earlier in the summer the two sides met twice at the European Youth Olympic Festival, where Lithuania emerged victorious on both occasions. This time Serbia turned the tables, avenging those losses in dramatic fashion.
The match began with a tightly contested first quarter, but Serbia pulled ahead by ten points in the second frame. Lithuania answered in the third, outscoring Serbia 33‑22 and building a seven‑point lead. However Matija Lukic ignited a 20‑1 run, delivering nine of those points and swinging momentum as Serbia surged to an 89‑70 lead with under four minutes remaining.
A rivalry renewed
Kusturica, after the game, praised Lithuania’s fighting spirit, acknowledging the difficulty of the contest while emphasizing his team’s resolve to finish the tournament strong.
With the semi‑final berth secured Serbia now eyes a medal that has eluded them for more than a decade. The squad’s blend of veteran poise and youthful firepower suggests they could finally break through and add another chapter to the nation’s growing basketball legacy.
The semi‑final will see Serbia face a yet‑to‑be‑determined opponent, but the squad enters the match with confidence built on their recent surge and the belief that a medal is within reach.