South Sudan once again delighted the basketball world, but against the class of Serbia - above all Bogdan Bogdanović and Nikola Jokić - it had no chance.
Serbia won 96:85, secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games and took Greece with it to Paris as one of the best third-placed selections. The "Helens" needed a victory for Svetislav Pešić's men by more than three points.
As the basketball tournament with three groups was a little complicated, it was expected that the draw after the group stage would determine the pairs of the quarterfinals, but in the end everything came together without the help of balls.
Considering that in the first knockout round teams that were in the same group cannot meet, the draw for the quarter-finals was not necessary, so Serbia will go to Australia, Canada to France, the United States of America to Brazil, and Germany welcomed Greece .
However, the balls will determine the potential rivals in the semi-finals, and that draw is due to take place later this evening.
Serbia didn't have an easy night in Lille against the Olympic debutants, although they seemed to be in control of the match.
In the end, the victory was led by Bogdanović, who scored 30 points with four rebounds and eight assists, and at the same time surpassed Miloš Teodosić in terms of points on the eternal list of the best scorers in Serbia.
He was followed once again by the phenomenal Nikola Jokić with a double-double performance - 22 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Vasilije Micić also scored in double figures with 15 points with seven rebounds and assists, as well as Filip Petrushev with 10 points.
With South Sudan, Karlik Jones stood out, reaching a double-double (17 points, 10 assists), followed by Marial Shajok, who also scored 17 points.
The quarter-final duels in the famous Bersi hall will be played on Tuesday.
Quarterfinals
Tuesday
SAD - Brazil
Germany - Greece
Canada - France
Serbia - Australia
Bonus video:
