ARG/SRB – Defensive-minded Serbia hold off Argentina

HAMBURG (FIBA U17 World Championship) – Serbia edged out Argentina 62-56 in a very defensive-minded contest as Group A action resumed in Hamburg on Monday following a day off.

Serbia used of some precise and fast ball movement to create openings to the basket and, even though their lay-up attempts were contested at the rim, Nenad Miljenovic and his team-mates went to the free-throw line and made the most of their trips there, hitting on 10 of 14 attempts in the first half.

Argentina struggled from the charity stripe throughout the entire game, missing 16 of their 27and were left to rue their missed opportunities in such a close contest.

The Serbians led 28-23 at the break and kept getting to the foul line in the second half where they were 22 of 30 on the day.

Matias Bortolin and Patricio Garino did their best for Argentina but their free-throw woes seemed to affect them and they were not helped by their lack of accuracy from three-point range (one of 14).

Quotes:

Enrique Tolcachier, Argentina head coach: „Both teams played defense on a high level. The difference was the free throw percentage.“

Nenad Trunic, Serbia head coach: „It was a very important game for both teams. Our defense was the key to our win.“

FIBA / JB