Serbia Hangs Tough, Move Into Quarterfinals

ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) - An Aleksandar Rasic free throw with one second remaining has delivered Serbia an incredible 73-72 (boxscore) victory over rivals Croatia to claim the first place in the 2010 FIBA World Championship quarter finals.

After the Serbs had led by seven in the last quarter, Marko Popovic and Marko Banic led Croatia back from the brink. Popovic hit 8/10 free throws in the final quarter and drew the teams level with 2/2 with 5.9 seconds remaining.

But Rasic dribbled the length of the court and drew a foul on Davor Kus, hitting the first free throw and deliberately missing the second to give Croatia no chance of responding.

For Serbia, Nenad Krstic worked hard for his 16 points, and was well supported by Rasic (15 points) and Kosta Perovic (10 points). For Croatia Popovic was tireless with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, while Roko Ukic (11 points) and Banic (10 points, 7 rebounds) were strong contributors.

Though Serbia raced to 5-0, it was Croatia who was faster on-court, scoring a number of times in transition. When Marko Tomas scored an easy fast break lay-up with 3:08 to play the score was 18-13, and a Kresimir Loncar triple just before quarter time had Croatia eight in front.

Serbia levelled scores six minutes into the second quarter, with Perovic having six points, but a hook from Ante Tomic and a three in transition from Popovic restored the Croatian lead.

The third quarter saw both teams trading baskets throughout, with the lead changing hands 12 times. In the last minute Milos Teodosic nailed a triple and fed Milan Macvan for a fast break lay-up Serbia had a 54-50 three quarter time lead.

A crucial play came with just under five minutes to play in the last quarter. After Croatia had missed a number of close shots and tip in opportunities on the one possession Macvan buried a three in transition to establish a 64-57 lead, and then held on in the tightest of finishes.