Lithuania beat Serbia U16 95-79 in EuroBasket opener

Serbia lost 95-79 to Lithuania in their opening Group A game at the men's FIBA U16 EuroBasket. Lithuania took control during the second quarter and protected the lead after half-time.

Serbia won the first quarter 21-18, but Lithuania answered with 29 points in the second. The score was 47-40 at half-time before Lithuania extended its advantage.

Lithuania changed the game before half-time

Serbia made the stronger start and led by three points after ten minutes. Lithuania then increased the pace and won the second quarter 29-19. That period created a seven-point half-time lead for Lithuania. Serbia continued to score near the basket, but turnovers gave Lithuania extra attacks. Lithuania added 23 points in the third quarter. Serbia scored 19, so the difference reached eleven points before the final period.

Serbia tried to reduce the gap during the fourth quarter. Lithuania stayed efficient, scored 25 points and finished with a sixteen-point victory. The final quarter confirmed the pattern of the game. Serbia kept attacking, while Lithuania answered quickly and prevented a late comeback. The result gave Lithuania its first Group A win. Serbia now has clear information before its remaining games against Romania and Poland.

Serbia scored well inside but lost too many possessions

Serbia made 27 of 42 two-point attempts. That strong percentage produced 48 points from the painted area during the game. The outside shooting was less effective. Serbia made three of seventeen three-point attempts and could not match Lithuania from long range. Lithuania made ten three-pointers from 28 attempts. Those shots helped the team maintain separation whenever Serbia moved closer.

A basketball passes through the hoop above a red court.

Ball control created another important difference. Serbia committed twenty turnovers, while Lithuania finished with ten and scored often after mistakes. Serbia collected sixteen offensive rebounds and created several second chances. Lithuania still limited the damage by forcing difficult outside shots. Lithuania recorded twelve steals and moved the ball for 23 assists. Serbia registered 21 assists, showing useful passing despite the turnovers.

Dositej Nedeljkovic led Serbia with sixteen points

Dositej Nedeljkovic was Serbia's leading scorer with sixteen points. He also collected seven rebounds and added three assists. Filip Mrden scored twelve points from the bench. Vuk Obradovic added eleven, while Luka Panic finished with ten points and four assists. Lithuania received points from many parts of its rotation. Danielius Jasikevicius led the team with seventeen points, seven assists and four steals.

Rapolas Klisauskas scored fourteen points without missing a field-goal attempt. Raigardas Ciunys added thirteen points and completed the final dunk. Lithuania's balanced scoring made defensive adjustments difficult for Serbia. Several players could finish possessions or create a pass for teammates. Serbia also shared its scoring, but the team lacked the same control. Missed outside shots and lost possessions weakened several promising attacks.

Romania and Poland remain in Serbia's group

Serbia continues the group stage against Romania and Poland in Oradea. Both games can still change the final order in Group A. Every team advances to the round of sixteen, but group position remains important. It determines the opponent from the neighbouring group. The opening loss does not end Serbia's tournament. The next task is reducing turnovers while keeping the effective inside scoring.

Serbia also needs better spacing around its strong interior play. More accurate outside shooting would make the next defence cover a wider area. Lithuania leaves the opener with a strong scoring performance and the first group victory. Its ten three-pointers separated the teams during key stretches. Serbia has two group games to improve its position. The confirmed result shows where the team lost control of the opener.

Lithuania protected the ball and punished mistakes

Lithuania finished with ten turnovers, exactly half Serbia's total. That difference produced extra attacks throughout the second half. Twelve Lithuanian steals placed further pressure on Serbia's ball handlers. Several possessions ended before Serbia could create a clear shot. Serbia still moved the ball for 21 assists. The passing worked best when the team entered the paint before finding an open teammate.

Lithuania recorded 23 assists and received scoring from several players. That balance made it harder for Serbia to focus on one creator. The teams combined for efficient two-point shooting. Lithuania added the stronger outside return and converted ten attempts from long range. Those confirmed numbers explain the final margin without speculation. Lithuania controlled more possessions and used them more efficiently.

Romania and Poland complete Serbia's Group A schedule

Lithuania won the opening game, while Romania and Poland complete Serbia's group. Each opponent brings a different physical and technical profile. The schedule places all three games inside a short period. Rotation and recovery therefore affect the whole week, not only the first night.

Every team continues into the knockout round, but group position still matters. It determines the opponent in the first knockout game. Serbia now has a full game of championship evidence. The next performance can show whether the team corrected its ball-control problems.