Serbia Around Nikola Jokic Suffers a Setback at the European Championship. Young Star Alperen Şengün and the Naturalized Us American Shan Larkin Shine for the Winner.
Gold Medal Contender Serbia Suffered Its First Defeat at the European Basketball Championship and Had to Concede The Group Victory to Turkey. The Team Around NBA Superstar Nikola Jokic Lost 90:95 (49:46) On the last preliminary Round Matchday in Riga/Latvia. In The Round of 16, The Serbs Will Play Against Finland, While Turkey Will Face Sweden.
Young Star Alperen Şengün from the NBA Club Houston Rockets (28 Points, 13 Rebounds, Eight Assists) and the Naturalized Us American Shan Larkin (23 Points) Led the Turks to Victory in The Duel Between Two PrevioLy undefeated Teams. Jokic Narrowly Missed A Double-Double with 22 Points and Nine Rebounds, Unlike Şengün.
Alperen Şengün (right) Played Outstandingly Against Nikola Jokic
Şengün Dethrones Jokic
The duel of the two superstars was Eagerly Awaited and Clearly Went to Şengün. The “Mini-Jokic,” As the Turk is called by many fans and experts, Repeatedly Attacked the Great Original and Exposed Weaknesses in the Serbian Defense.
So, “MVP” Calls Echoed Through the Hall Again and Again. But this time they were not meant for jokic.
The Match of the Two Top Nations was Spectacular. There were 15 Lead Changes. There were no ties.
The Decision Came only at the very end. 41 Seconds Before the Buzzer, Şengün Attacked Jokic, Drew the foul and then converted the free throws. With that, Turkey Took the Lead and Made the Victory Clear Immediately afterwards with a steal Against Marko Guduric.
Third in Group a was Latvia, The Host of the Preliminary and Final Rounds, Who Will Meet Lithuania, Second in the German Group B, in the First Knockout Game on Saturday.
Germany would Thus Meet Serbia in the semi-finals, Should the DBB Team Beat Portugal in the Round of 16 and so win the following quarters finals.