Serbia U18 women beat Latvia 64-60 after late comeback

Serbia's under-18 women's team beat Latvia 64-60 after a strong fourth quarter. The Serbian players entered the final period twelve points behind.

Serbia allowed only six points during the last ten minutes and scored twenty-two. The comeback produced the team's first victory at the European Championship.

Latvia controlled the middle part of the game

Serbia had opened the tournament with a 75-52 defeat against Poland. The team needed a stronger response against Latvia.

Latvia led 32-24 at halftime. Serbia struggled to finish possessions and allowed the opponent to establish a steady advantage.

The gap increased during the third quarter. Latvia entered the final period with a 54-42 lead and a clear position to close the game.

Serbia had not found one fast scoring run during the first thirty minutes. The team required both stops and careful possessions to change the result.

The defence then became much more active around the perimeter. Passing lanes closed, and Latvia received fewer open attempts.

Serbia also improved its work after missed shots. Securing the rebound prevented Latvia from using a second chance to protect the lead.

The fourth quarter completely changed the score

Serbia began the final period by reducing the gap through several stops. Each successful defence allowed another controlled attack.

The team did not erase twelve points with one possession. The comeback developed through repeated short sequences at both ends.

Latvia scored only six points in the quarter. The team had scored far more during every earlier period.

Serbia scored twenty-two and moved ahead before the final minute. The players then protected the lead through the last Latvian possessions.

The quarter ended 22-6 for Serbia. That difference converted a clear losing position into a four-point victory.

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

The final score was 64-60. Serbia completed the turnaround during regulation and earned its first tournament victory.

Jovanov and Ilić led the scoring

Anastasija Jovanov scored seventeen points and finished as Serbia's leading scorer. Her production included important baskets during the recovery.

Jovana Ilić added twelve points. The two players gave Serbia reliable options when the attack needed a composed finish.

Other teammates supported the comeback through defence, rebounds and ball movement. The final quarter depended on more than the two scoring totals.

Serbia reduced the easy shots available to Latvia. That work made every Serbian basket more valuable as the gap became smaller.

Jovanov and Ilić then handled several possessions under pressure. Their points supported the final move from a tie into a lead.

The scoring record identifies the main finishers. The six points allowed in the fourth quarter identify the wider team contribution.

The first win changed Serbia's group position

Serbia now has one victory and one defeat at the tournament. The result repaired part of the damage from the opening loss to Poland.

Croatia is the next opponent in the schedule. That match arrives after Serbia has already shown it can recover from a difficult score.

Every team in the group advances to the round of sixteen. Serbia's group will then meet teams from the section containing Montenegro, Spain, Slovenia and Turkey. Nevena Petrović, Milica Mažić and Ana Mutavdžić also supported the scoring against Latvia. Victory over Croatia means second place in the group before the knockout round.

The Latvia win also supplies a clear defensive reference. Holding an opponent to six points over ten minutes decided the outcome.

Serbia still had weaknesses during the first three quarters. The final result does not remove the earlier shooting and possession problems.

It does confirm that the group remained organised while trailing by twelve. The players changed the match through completed stops and accurate finishes.

The final whistle confirmed a 64-60 victory. Serbia moved forward in the tournament after one of its strongest defensive quarters.

The comeback began with defence before the points arrived

Serbia started the fourth quarter twelve points behind. A quick scoring run alone would not have been enough without defensive stops.

Latvia managed only six points during the final ten minutes. Its earlier control disappeared as passing lanes became harder to use.

Serbia scored twenty-two points in the same period. The margin changed through several short possessions instead of one isolated play.

Jovanov and Ilić remained the main scoring options under pressure. Their work helped Serbia move from chasing the game to protecting a lead.

Serbia had lost its opening match against Poland. Victory over Latvia improved the team's group record.

The final score does not hide the difficult first three quarters. Serbia still spent much of the game behind and needed a complete defensive change.

Serbia's defence decided the final period. Latvia scored only six points while the comeback developed.