Serbia vs Bosnia & Herzegovina

Serbia's first-quarter surge established a double-digit lead that Bosnia & Herzegovina never fully erased. Coach Dusan Alimpijevic's side tightened defensively in the second half, holding the Dragons to 14 points in the final quarter. The 13-point margin was the largest of the night and reflected Serbia's control from start to finish.

Nikola Jokic (Serbia) — The three-time NBA MVP and newly appointed captain delivered in his first home game for Serbia in over a decade. Jokic finished as the focal point of the offence, averaging 22.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game across the qualifying window. Player of the match.

Nikola Tanaskovic (Serbia) — The lefty big, who spent three seasons with Igokea in Bosnia, was a handful for his former domestic rivals. He led all scorers with 24 points on 7-of-11 shooting, grabbed 8 rebounds and posted a game-high efficiency rating of 28.

Xavier Castaneda (Bosnia & Herzegovina) — The guard was the Dragons' primary offensive threat, scoring 19 points to lead the visitors. Castaneda knocked down timely three-pointers in the second half to keep BIH within striking distance.

Emir Sulejmanovic (Bosnia & Herzegovina) — The forward added 11 points for the visitors, one of only two BIH players in double figures on the night.

Serbia's 94 points exceeded their qualifying average of 85 per game, reflecting the home-court boost at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. Bosnia & Herzegovina, who averaged 78.6 points per game coming into the contest, managed 81 — a respectable output but not enough to keep pace with Serbia's efficient attack.

Serbia's rebounding advantage (37.8 RPG average in the qualifiers vs. Bosnia's 36.0 RPG) was a constant factor, with Jokic's presence on the glass creating second-chance opportunities. The team's 21.6 assists per game campaign average reflected the unselfish ball movement that Alimpijevic has prioritised.

Bosnia & Herzegovina shot just 11-of-22 from the free-throw line (50%), a decisive factor in a one-possession game that ended up being decided by 13 points.

Group C concluded with Turkey (5-0) as the undefeated group winners, Serbia (3-2) in second place, and Bosnia & Herzegovina (2-3) in third. All three teams qualified for the Second Round, with Switzerland (0-5) eliminated. All results from the First Round carry forward into the next phase.

Serbia's record stood at 3-2 heading into the Second Round, with momentum from two consecutive wins over Bosnia & Herzegovina in this qualifying campaign — the 74-72 thriller in Sarajevo in November 2025 and Monday's 94-81 victory in Belgrade. The Second Round is scheduled to begin in the February 2027 window.

Bosnia & Herzegovina, under coach Dario Gjergja, will take their 2-3 record into the next phase. The Dragons showed they can compete at this level, pushing Turkey and Serbia in close games, but will need greater consistency to advance further.

Serbia were the stronger side from start to finish, and with Jokic as the centrepiece, they look well-equipped for the Second Round. Bosnia competed but lacked the firepower to match a Serbian team firing on all cylinders at home. The 13-point margin was a fair reflection of the gap between the sides on the night.