Australian Boomers’ Olympic Campaign Ends in Overtime Loss to Serbia
In a heartbreaking overtime loss, the Australian men’s basketball team was defeated by Serbia 95-90 in the quarter-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Patty Mills scored 26 points and Josh Giddey contributed 25 points, but Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic with 21 points, secured victory. The match was characterized by alternating leads and high drama, ultimately concluding with Serbia moving on to the semi-finals.
The Australian men’s basketball team faced elimination from the Paris 2024 Olympics after an intense overtime defeat against Serbia in the quarter-finals, concluding the game with a score of 95-90. The match, held at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, saw Captain Patty Mills shine with 26 points, including a key two-pointer at the end of regulation that forced overtime. Josh Giddey also impressed with 25 points, showcasing a strong performance throughout the contest.
Serbia, ranked fourth globally and led by Nikola Jokic, who scored 21 points, presented stiff competition as they outperformed the Australian team, the bronze medalists from Tokyo 2020. Initially, Australia took control, leading 21-17 after the first quarter, buoyed by Mills’ ten points from successive three-pointers. However, Serbia responded with a strong push to narrow the gap significantly by halftime, trailing only 54-42.
In the second half, despite Australia maintaining a lead, Serbia’s Ognjen Dobric and Bogdan Bogdanovic fought back, ultimately taking the lead at 61-60. The game remained competitive as both teams exchanged points, with Australia leveling at 65-65 before Serbia finished the third quarter ahead by two points. The final quarter intensified, leading to a dramatic tying shot from Giddey to ensure an 82-82 tie at the end of regulation.
Overtime commenced with Serbia’s Dobric hitting a three-pointer; however, Jack McVeigh equalized. As the clock wound down, Jokic scored to give Serbia the upper hand at 93-90. In the final moments, Bogdanovic’s free throws sealed the 95-90 victory for Serbia, earning them a place in the semi-finals against either Brazil or the United States.
The Australian men’s basketball team, known as the Boomers, has historically been a competitive presence in international tournaments, including the Olympics. Their journey in the Paris 2024 Olympics was marked by high expectations following their bronze medal performance at the Tokyo 2020 Games. This quarter-final match against Serbia, ranked fourth globally, highlighted the intense level of competition as both teams sought to secure a place in the semi-finals of a major international basketball event.
The Australian men’s basketball team’s quest for Olympic success was halted in a heartbreaking quarter-final match against Serbia, concluding with a narrow overtime loss. Key performances from Patty Mills and Josh Giddey showcased the Boomers’ determination, but ultimately, Serbia’s skill and experience prevailed. This outcome solidifies Serbia’s advancement in the tournament, while Australia reflects on a missed opportunity this Olympic cycle.
Original Source: www.olympics.com
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