BELGRADE (Serbia) - The biggest win in Swiss basketball history happened as they stunned Serbia on November 28, 2020, thanks to a last second game-winner from Dusan Mladjan.
It was nearly history repeating itself, as Switzerland enjoyed a 23-point lead at the half against Serbia on November 27, 2025.
However, Dusan Alimpijevic starts his reign with a sensational comeback win, leading Serbia to an 90-86 win to start the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers.
Turning Point
Switzerland could not miss to start the game, hitting eight of their first nine three-point attempts, and when it rains, it pours.
Selim Fofana's incredible running halfcourt shot meant his nation took a 57-34 lead to the locker room after two quarters.
However, coach Alimpijevic found the defense after the break.
Serbia allowed just 15 points across the first 15 minutes of the second half, starting the fourth quarter with a fierce 20-2 run to not only erase the deficit, but also take a 79-72 lead with five minutes to go.
To make it an instant classic, Switzerland responded with another run of their own, picking up an 82-81 lead with 90 seconds left to play.
It was the Serbian bigs closing out the game, Nikola Tanaskovic and Dusan Ristic finding points from the paint to put the game out of Switzerland's reach before the closing seconds.
Game Hero
Dusan Ristic was simply unstoppable in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of his points when it mattered most to erase Switzerland's lead and make it a comfy Serbian lead ahead of the closing minutes.
The big guy finished with 24 points on 10-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-4 from beyond the arc, and Serbia were a +23 team in his 18 minutes of work.
Honorable mention: Stefan Miljenovic with 23 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds.
Stats Don't Lie
Switzerland shot 9-of-12 from deep in the first half. They finished the game 9-of-22.
Bottom Line
Serbia avoided a shock defeat in the first game after coach Svetislav Pesic's reign, with the packed stands carrying the national team to an improbable comeback in the second half.
Nikola Tanaskovic (16 points) and Stefan Momirov (12) were also in double digits in the win.
Coach Ilias Papatheodorou can be proud of his team's effort, especially in the first half. If Switzerland can repeat this kind of performance, they could complicate proceedings in Group C.
Alexander Schumacher Bell had 19 points in a losing effort.
They said
FIBA