{"id":213719,"date":"2026-07-05T13:45:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T11:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/?p=213719"},"modified":"2026-07-05T13:45:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T11:45:34","slug":"a-heart-as-big-as-a-house-serbia-reach-the-world-championship-final-kusturica-shattered-the-rim-lukic-and-simjanovski-silenced-turkey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/a-heart-as-big-as-a-house-serbia-reach-the-world-championship-final-kusturica-shattered-the-rim-lukic-and-simjanovski-silenced-turkey\/","title":{"rendered":"A HEART AS BIG AS A HOUSE: Serbia Reach the World Championship Final: Kusturica Shattered the Rim, Luki\u0107 and Simjanovski Silenced Turkey!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The former Abdi \u0130pek\u00e7i Arena, now home to Anadolu Efes, was packed almost to capacity as Serbia&#8217;s youngsters faced a talented Turkish team backed by a passionate home crowd and led by \u00d6mer Kutlay, the son of former Turkish star \u0130brahim Kutlay. It was clear from the opening tip that nothing would come easy and that Serbia would have to fight for every possession to silence the Istanbul crowd, which had gathered the biggest names in Turkish basketball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Young Eagles were not intimidated. Instead, they embraced the battle, producing a thrilling contest filled with drama and spectacular moments. After an emotional rollercoaster, Serbia booked its place in the FIBA U17 World Cup final with a 76-71 victory and will now face the United States for the gold medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The game brought back memories of the 2010 FIBA World Championship semifinal between Serbia&#8217;s senior team and Turkey. Everyone remembers how that game ended, and this contest bore an uncanny resemblance to that unforgettable clash. Everything seemed familiar\u2014except for the outcome. This time, Serbia&#8217;s youngsters got the job done. They repaid an old debt and showed they are something special, proving they possess heart, composure, and basketball intelligence. For this generation, the sky truly is the limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nikola Kusturica once again carried the team offensively, but the victory was a complete team effort. Matija Luki\u0107 produced a decisive scoring run late in the game, while Ognjen Simjanovski hit crucial baskets that settled Serbia whenever the pressure peaked. Head coach Stevan Mijovi\u0107&#8217;s squad displayed tremendous character, once again proving why many consider this generation one of Serbia&#8217;s brightest in years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kusturica finished as Serbia&#8217;s leading scorer with 25 points, continuing his outstanding tournament. Luki\u0107 added 20 points, delivering a fearless performance, while Simjanovski chipped in with 10 points, several of which came at pivotal moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Officially putting Nikola Kusturica on my \u2018Future Stars\u2019 list \ud83d\udccb<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/FIBAU17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FIBAU17<\/a> x <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KSSrbije?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@KSSrbije<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/InVIORr3vI\">pic.twitter.com\/InVIORr3vI<\/a><\/p>&mdash; NextGen Hoops (@NextGenHoops) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NextGenHoops\/status\/2073478693675049036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 4, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GAME SUMMARY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The contest began at a frantic pace. Although Turkey made the first move, Serbia responded through Kusturica and Luki\u0107, who combined for 13 points in the opening quarter to erase the deficit and give the visitors the lead after the first period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second quarter featured an excellent stretch from Mili\u010di\u0107. The son of the famous Serbian center brought toughness and energy to the floor, while Kusturica continued to lead the offense as Serbia gradually built an advantage. The Young Eagles went into halftime leading by eight points, despite failing to make a single three-pointer in the opening half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simjanovski quickly changed that after the break by knocking down Serbia&#8217;s first three-pointer, setting the tone for an excellent third quarter. Although \u00d6mer Kutlay kept Turkey within striking distance, Serbia maintained control thanks to relentless energy on both ends of the floor. Luki\u0107 connected from beyond the arc again, while Kusturica and Stepanovi\u0107 extended Serbia&#8217;s lead to 13 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the Young Eagles appeared to relax slightly, allowing Be\u015fir to spark Turkey&#8217;s comeback and forcing Mijovi\u0107 to call a timeout. It failed to halt the momentum, as Kutlay took command and led the hosts all the way back into the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inspired by the home crowd, Turkey eventually overturned the deficit, leaving Serbia trailing. It looked as though the Young Eagles were running out of steam\u2014until Kusturica ignited the team with a thunderous dunk that restored belief. Luki\u0107 then buried one three-pointer, followed immediately by another, putting Serbia back in front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Turkey stayed within striking distance, refusing to give up. But when Serbia needed a hero once more, Simjanovski delivered another clutch three-pointer that all but sealed the victory. The smell of triumph was in the air\u2014and it proved to be real. Serbia advanced to the World Championship final and booked a blockbuster showdown with the United States for the gold medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF;color:#d21414\" class=\"has-inline-color\">MORE TOPICS:<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/the-karadordevics-awoke-the-diaspora-in-chicago-serbia-should-return-to-its-tradition-to-be-a-monarchy-again-video\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">THE KARA\u0110OR\u0110EVI\u0106S AWOKE THE DIASPORA IN CHICAGO: \u201cSerbia should return to its tradition, to be a monarchy again!\u201d (VIDEO)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/serbian-among-the-victims-in-a-plane-crash-skydiving-instructor-filip-kovacevic-killed-in-an-accident-in-france\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">SERBIAN AMONG THE VICTIMS IN A PLANE CRASH: Skydiving instructor Filip Kova\u010devi\u0107 killed in an accident in France!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/if-he-does-not-give-up-he-is-going-to-the-cemetery-kokeza-hired-criminals-to-attack-nemanja-vidic-scandalous-messages-revealed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">\u201cIF HE DOES NOT GIVE UP, HE IS GOING TO THE CEMETERY\u201d: Kokeza hired criminals to attack Nemanja Vidi\u0107, scandalous messages revealed!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/great-initiative-from-england-how-to-most-easily-teach-your-children-in-the-diaspora-to-write-and-read-cyrillic-photo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">GREAT INITIATIVE FROM ENGLAND: How to most easily teach your children in the diaspora to write and read Cyrillic! (PHOTO)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/voice-and-verses-that-awaken-pride-danica-crnogorcevic-released-a-new-song-that-gladdened-serbs-around-the-world-video\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>VOICE AND VERSES THAT AWAKEN PRIDE: Danica Crnogor\u010devi\u0107 released a new song that gladdened Serbs around the world! (VIDEO)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/genius-from-serbia-thrilled-the-world-veljko-learned-to-program-at-only-eight-years-old-and-now-he-is-the-best-student-of-novi-sad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">GENIUS FROM SERBIA THRILLED THE WORLD: Veljko learned to program at only eight years old, and now he is the best student of Novi Sad!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong><strong>Source<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>:<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/meridiansport.rs\/kosarka\/srce-veliko-kao-kuca-srbija-u-finalu-svetskog-prvenstva-kusturica-lomio-obruce-lukic-i-simjanovski-utisali-tursku-i-vratili-dug-seniora-iz-proslosti\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Meridian Sport<\/a> <strong>Foto:<\/strong> FIBA<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The former Abdi \u0130pek\u00e7i Arena, now home to Anadolu Efes, was packed almost to capacity as Serbia&#8217;s youngsters faced a talented Turkish team backed by a passionate home crowd and led by \u00d6mer Kutlay, the son of former Turkish star \u0130brahim Kutlay. It was clear from the opening tip that nothing would come easy and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2169,"featured_media":213721,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[3027,13418,7584],"class_list":["post-213719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","tag-fiba","tag-kosarakaski-savez-srbije","tag-orlici","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Serbiantimes.info EN","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/213719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2169"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=213719"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/213719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":213763,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/213719\/revisions\/213763"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/213721"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=213719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=213719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=213719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}