28 Jun
    6 Jul 2025

    Magic in motion: Slovenia’s Semi-Final dream lives on

    4 min to read
    Game Report
    Slovenia is the first team to reach the U19 World Cup Semi-Finals

    Slovenia have secured the country's greatest result at the FIBA U19 World Cup by reaching the Semi-Finals.

    LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - Slovenia took another step in creating new youth basketball heroes by reaching the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 - the country's greatest result in the competition's history.

    Let us know what you think and vote:

    Who will be named FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 TISSOT MVP?

    Slovenia battled past Israel 79-55 in the Quarter-Finals in Lausanne thanks to Zak Smrekar collecting 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Urban Kroflic chipped in 13 points.

    You may also want to read this:

    FIBA U19WC MVP Ladder, volume 2: Unexpected guests

    Slovenia are making their third appearance in the U19 World Cup and took seventh place in 2003 and ninth in 2023. Slovenia also took seventh place at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022.

    The game was tight for the first 15 minutes of the game with seven lead changes until Slovenia went on a 17-3 run over the final 4 minutes to lead 38-28 at the break.

    The Slovenian pushed continued in the second half and the advantage grew to 15 points early in the third quarter. The Balkan side kept the foot on the gas and the lead extended to 21 points at the start of the fourth quarter. Israel never threatened after that.

    Our chemistry is just unmatched

    Zak Smrekar

    "This is crazy. It doesn't feel real. Our chemistry is just unmatched. That is what got us the win. Now we keep going," Smrekar said. "It means a lot. You can see that on our faces but the work is not finished yet."

    The best photos from the game
    The best photos from the game
    The best photos from the game
    The best photos from the game
    The best photos from the game
    The best photos from the game
    The best photos from the game
    The best photos from the game
    The best photos from the game

    Slovenia's defense stood strong, holding Israel to just 55 points - 34.3 points fewer than their average of 89.3 points per game. Slovenia limited Omer Mayer to just 9 points after the Israeli guard had scored 33 points against Cameroon in the Round of 16.

    Slovenia will now face the winner between Germany and Australia in the Semis.

    Let us know what you think and vote:

    Who will be crowned U19 World Cup 2025 champions?

    FIBA

    Latest News

    Quarter-Finals: USA, Germany survive, joined by newcomers Slovenia and New Zealand

    New Zealand standing tall in first ever U19WC Semis

    FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals pairings, schedule set

    U19 FBWC Official Fan Store

    Browse our collection