Serbia dominates early with four three-pointers and a double-digit lead of 17:4 at the OAKA Arena. Gianmarco Pozzecco calls a quick timeout. During that period, the ‘Azurri’ were unable to prevent Aleksa Avramovic from scoring. Serbia led by 17 points (28-11) before relaxing and allowing Italy to capitalize that.
The Italians started the second quarter with a stronger defense, as shown by the score after two minutes of play (36:30). Their improved performance in shooting from beyond the 6.75-meter line allowed them to come within two points halfway through the second quarter (38:36).
The only standout player in Pesic’s lineup was Nikola Milutinov, who almost alone maintained Serbia’s lead until halftime – 47:44. Italy had an opportunity to take the lead in the final play of the first half, but Avramovic stole the ball and secured a three-point advantage for Serbia going into halftime.
A relaxed approach by Serbia allowed Italy to stage a comeback, which happened after Achille Polonara’s three-pointer (52:51). Despite a couple of good defensive plays that gave the ‘Eagles’ the opportunity to regain the lead through a fast break, it didn’t stay on the scoreboard for long (55:54).
Throughout the rest of the third quarter, we witnessed a real back-and-forth battle, mostly revolving around three-point shooting. A tied score after 30 minutes of play at the OAKA Arena perhaps seemed the most fitting outcome given all that had transpired – 70:70.
With an early 6-0 run in the last period, Pozzecco’s team regained a better rhythm, quickly turning it into a five-point advantage (80:75). Just as Serbia closed in with a 4-0 run to be within possession, Polonara’s three-pointer swung the situation back in Italy’s favor (83:79).
Things went downhill for Pesic’s team when Marco Spissu hit a three-pointer with just under two minutes left in the game (88:82). With Nikola Jovic’s and one, the ‘Eagles’ were given hope to come back in the game, and Bogdanovic’s three-pointer and a foul on Avramovic ‘opened’ the door to victory for Serbia.
Bogdanovic missed the game-winning shot, and Italy secured the victory in the second game of the Acropolis Cup with a defensive rebound.