Serbia defeats Netherlands to maintain perfect Eurobasket qualifying record

Serbia defeated the Netherlands 89:82 in a Eurobasket qualifying match to secure their second consecutive victory. The win maintains the momentum for the Serbian team coached by Miloš Pavlović as they continue their campaign in the tournament qualifiers.

Key player performances

Jovana Nogić led the Serbian offensive effort by scoring 28 points during the match. The player secured the lead for Serbia by scoring a three-pointer with 40 seconds remaining in the game. Anđela Dugalić contributed 17 points to the Serbian total, while Maša Janković recorded 15 points and 5 rebounds. Ivana Raca added 11 points to the scoring tally for the Serbian side.

The Netherlands attempted to mount a comeback through several key players. Vanderklugh scored 20 points for the Netherlands to lead her team's scoring. Hof contributed 16 points, and Trefers recorded 12 points and 7 rebounds for the Netherlands. Despite these efforts, the Netherlands could not overcome the Serbian lead in the final minutes of the match.

Standings and tournament progress

With this victory, Serbia currently holds first place in the standings with two wins. This follows a previous victory where Serbia defeated Greece 84:74 during the first round of the qualifiers. The Netherlands currently holds one win in the tournament standings. Both Greece and Slovakia have zero wins in the current standings.

The Serbian team has demonstrated consistency under the leadership of Miloš Pavlović. This win marks the second consecutive victory for the squad. The team's performance in the opening rounds has positioned them as a frontrunner in the qualifying group.

Upcoming matches and qualification goals

Serbia is scheduled to play Slovakia on November 18, 2026. A victory against Slovakia would likely secure the qualification for Serbia for the Eurobasket tournament. This would allow the team to bypass the second round of qualifiers scheduled for February 2027.

The competitive structure of the qualifiers ensures that every match remains critical for advancing to the next stage. The upcoming match against Slovakia represents a significant opportunity for the Serbian team to finalize their participation in the Eurobasket tournament before the February 2027 qualifying round begins.

Glossary

• qualifying group — A group used in a tournament structure where teams compete to advance. It can be characterized as a "group of death" in certain contexts.