Serbia's U16 Basketball Team Clinches EuroBasket 2025 Glory
Serbia's under-16 basketball squad captured the EuroBasket 2025 title, ending a 12-year drought since their last European crown in 2007. The triumph was led by captain Petar Bjelica, who steered the team with a blend of skill and poise.
Bjelica’s statistical line was eye‑catching: he posted averages of 15.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks across the tournament, underscoring his all‑court impact.
The final against Lithuania turned into a thriller when Serbia erased a 12‑point deficit in the fourth quarter, sealing a 99‑86 victory. Bjelica himself contributed 25 points, 9 rebounds and two assists, while also recording a steal and a block that helped swing the momentum.
That comeback was not an isolated incident; earlier in the competition Serbia had survived a 97‑95 loss to Spain in the group stage, a setback that only sharpened their resolve for the knockout rounds.
Beyond the court, Bjelica carries a family legacy. His father, Novica Bjelica, was a prominent figure in Serbian volleyball, a background that has instilled a strong work ethic and competitive spirit in the young star.
Now the focus shifts to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, where Serbia will compete in Group A against Australia, Venezuela and Côte d’Ivoire. Australia arrives undefeated from the FIBA U16 AsiaCup, presenting a formidable challenge, while the United States, the seven‑time reigning champions, loom as another aspirational opponent.
Bjelica has voiced a clear ambition to test himself against the world’s best, stating his desire to face the United States and to end the 12‑year wait for a medal at the U17 level. The team’s third‑place finish in 2014 remains a benchmark, and the current cohort hopes to rewrite that narrative.