Teller Report

Serbia to World Cup final despite coach's missteps

9/8/2023, 10:41:17 AM

Highlights: Serbia beat Canada 95-86 in the World Cup semi-final in Manila, Philippines. Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 23 points for Serbia. Marko Guduric and Vanja Markinovic hit three-pointers in the third period. It took Serbian coach Svetislav Pesic to step onto the court for Canada to get a point before the fourth period. The 74-year-old didn't stay in his technical area and Canada got a penalty throw that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set for 75-63.

Serbia won the World Cup semi-final against Canada 95-86 and is set for its second final as a nation of its own after controlling the game from start to finish.


Serbia hit two long threes at the end of the third period by Marko Guduric and Vanja Markinovic and cemented their grip on the match by going ahead to 75-62.

It took Serbian coach Svetislav Pesic to step onto the court for Canada to get a point before the fourth period. The 74-year-old got too eager and didn't stay in his technical area and Canada got a penalty throw that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set for 75-63.

However, the measly score helped little for Canada, who made their first World Cup semi-final.

"I think Serbia has grown into the tournament even though I didn't see this coming," says SVT Sports expert Nick Rajacic.

Serbia was led by Bogdan Bogdanovic who scored 23 points in Manila, Philippines.