FIBA World Cup Round Of 16: Serbia Stuns Unbeaten Greece

Serbia barely survived the group stage of the FIBA World Cup, getting routed by Spain and losing to Brazil and France. Greece rolled through its group with a perfect 5-0 mark.

That’s why they play the game.

Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 21 points and Serbia (3-3) pulled away from Greece (5-1) in the fourth quarter for a stunning 90-72 win Sunday in Madrid and a berth in the quarterfinals.

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Serbia had a 46-42 lead at the half and was up 64-55 entering the fourth quarter before taking over the game with a 12-0.

Bogdanovic capped the run with a layup with exactly four minutes left that put the Serbs on top 80-60. Greece got no closer than 15 the rest of the way.

Ioannis Bourousis and Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece look on during Serbia’s surprising 90-72 win Sunday at the FIBA World Cup. (FIBA photo) /

The Greeks had shot the ball well in group play, but were just 24-for-55 on Sunday, while Serbia hit 32-of-59 shots and was 9-for-17 from 3-point range.

Miroslav Raduljica added 16 points for Serbia, Milos Teodosic finished with 13 points and five assists, Nikola Kalinic dropped in 12 points and Nenad Krstic went for 10 points. Nemanja Bjelica had 10 rebounds and scored eight points.

Nick Calathes of the Memphis Grizzlies had 14 points for Greece. Nikos Zizis and Georgios Printezis had 12 points each, with Printezis adding five assists. Kostas Kaimakoglou grabbed six rebounds and scored six points.

Serbia will get another shot at Brazil in Madrid on Wednesday. Brazil won the first meeting in group play 81-73 on Sept. 3.