Serbia started excellently. Svetislav Pesic’s players were somewhat apprehensive before the match, as the Georgians are known to be quite tricky, especially on their home turf, and Serbia entered this showdown following a surprising defeat to Denmark. However, it turned out there was no reason to worry, as the “Eagles” immediately set the desired rhythm, primarily in defense, and gained a nine-point advantage.
Soon, that lead became double-digit when Aleksa Avramovic scored a three-pointer, marking a period in which Serbia completely dominated. Pesic’s team was led by Vanja Marinkovic during those moments, who had already scored 10 points towards the end of the first half, although a slightly weaker finish to the second half spoiled the impression. After being up by 13 points, the world vice-champions went without a basket for four and a half minutes, but the home team didn’t fully capitalize on it, narrowing the gap to just seven points.
Beslac’s defense and Marinkovic’s scoring Serbia faced some difficulties at the start of the second half. Alexander Dzikic’s team was on a surge, and when Tornike Shengelia hit the first three-pointer of the game, Georgia closed in to just four points behind. That’s when the “Eagles” showed their best side. Marko Guduric stepped up and with precise long-range shots, thwarted the home team’s surge and kept them at a safe distance.
Georgia didn’t give up, but neither did Serbia allow them to relinquish the lead. A crucial sequence in the fourth quarter was when Dusan Beslac, with aggressive defense, neutralized Shengelia, which Pesic’s team capitalized on the other end through Avramovic and Marinkovic, extending the lead to plus 11. Not long after, Marinkovic once again scored from long range, making it plus 15 with five minutes left, sealing the fate for the hosts.