Serbia U18 basketball team beats Denmark 70-54

Serbia's under-18 basketball team defeated Denmark 70-54 at the European Championship. Serbia led after every quarter and protected a double-digit advantage. The win sent the team into the ninth-place game.

Nikola Karalic led Serbia with twenty points and eleven rebounds. Andrej Bjelic added fourteen points. Serbia later beat Estonia 77-67 and finished the tournament in ninth place.

Serbia built the lead through the first half

Serbia began the game with a controlled defensive quarter. Denmark scored only eleven points during the opening period. Serbia answered with sixteen and established the first useful margin.

The second quarter increased that difference. Serbia added nineteen points while again holding Denmark to eleven. The half-time score gave the Serbian team a thirteen-point advantage.

That lead did not depend on one long shooting run. Serbia collected rebounds and created repeated possessions. Denmark struggled to produce easy finishes near the basket.

Karalic influenced both ends during this period. He scored inside and recovered missed shots. His presence prevented Denmark from ending several defensive possessions with one stop.

Karalic supplied points and control near the basket

Karalic finished as Serbia's leading scorer with twenty points. His eleven rebounds completed a double-double. He also recorded three assists while working around the central positions.

The rebounding total mattered because Denmark often forced the first attempt to miss. Karalic helped Serbia retain possession or begin the next attack. His work reduced Denmark's opportunities to run forward.

Gnjato added ten points and ten rebounds. Two Serbian players therefore reached double figures in both categories. That balance gave the team a reliable presence around each basket.

A Serbia player attacks the basket during the under-18 game against Denmark.

Roganovic scored nine points and matched Karalic with eleven rebounds. Serbia did not rely on one player for the physical work. Several roles contributed when the ball left the rim.

Bjelic provided fourteen points and became Serbia's second scorer. His contribution reduced the pressure on Karalic. Denmark could not defend only the interior areas and expect the attack to stop.

Serbia scored twenty-one points during the third quarter. That was its most productive period. Denmark reached sixteen, but the overall gap continued to grow.

The fourth quarter became the only period won by Denmark. Serbia still protected the result without allowing a serious late comeback. The existing advantage gave the team room to manage the final minutes.

The scoring spread also helped Serbia avoid one predictable attack. Karalic, Bjelic, Gnjato and Roganovic all influenced the total. Their different roles kept the ball moving through several positions.

Rebounding defined the shape of the victory

Serbia's leading performers collected a large share of the available rebounds. That work limited Denmark's second chances. It also supported a calmer transition into the Serbian attack.

Youth games often change quickly after turnovers and missed shots. Serbia reduced that risk by controlling the ball near the basket. The team rarely allowed Denmark to build repeated attacks from one possession.

The final margin reached sixteen points despite a quieter fourth quarter. Serbia had already completed the main work before that stage. Denmark needed a major scoring run and never found one.

The result followed a difficult championship path for the Serbian group. The team responded with a complete performance rather than one strong quarter. It led from the opening period until the final whistle.

The Denmark victory sent Serbia into the ninth-place game against Estonia. Serbia started that match slowly and trailed 23-12 after the first quarter. The team reduced the gap before half-time.

Estonia rebuilt an eleven-point lead during the third quarter. Serbia answered through Andrej Bjelic, Luka Roganovic and Djordje Gnjato. A long Roganovic three-pointer cut the score to 53-51 before the final period.

Estonia still led 62-55 in the fourth quarter. Serbia then finished with a 22-5 scoring run. Jovan Bikic gave the team its first lead after a steal and fast break.

Bjelic hit a three-pointer for a 70-67 advantage. Roganovic added another from long range. Gnjato scored the final basket after an offensive rebound and set the 77-67 result.

Bjelic led Serbia against Estonia with nineteen points. Roganovic scored fourteen, while Djordje Lilic added thirteen. Serbia won the last quarter 26-14 and secured ninth place.

The two placement wins showed different strengths. Serbia controlled Denmark from the opening quarter. Against Estonia, the team recovered from a difficult start and produced its best finish.

Serbia had entered the placement bracket after losing to Greece in the round of sixteen. Wins over Bulgaria, Denmark and Estonia followed. The final victory confirmed ninth place at the European Championship.