Bosnia and Hercegovina shock reigning champs Slovenia at FIBA Eurobasket 2022

Bosnia and Hercegovina took a major step towards reaching the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Knockout Phase with a surprising 97-93 victory over reigning champs Slovenia.

It was Bosnia and Hercegovina’s first-ever win over Slovenia, having lost their other three games against the fellow Balkan nation, with the last game dating back to EuroBasket 2005. Bosnia and Hercegovina are well alive to advance from the first round of a EuroBasket for just the second time following 1993. 

Turning Point: The game was tight and back and forth throughout and was knotted  86-86 with four minutes to play. A Roberson three-pointer put Bosnia and Herzegovina up 91-86, and Edin Atic converted a layup with 53 seconds to play for a 93-89 lead. Roberson and Atic iced the game with two free throws each in the final 13.5 seconds.

TCL Player of the Game: Dzanan Musa was a significant force for Bosnia and Herzegovina with 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

Stats Don’t Lie: Bosnia and Hercegovina were unstoppable from the outside, hitting 50 percent on three-pointers while they also made 16-of-17 free throws – including all four in the final 13.5 seconds. 

Bottom Line: Bosnia and Hercegovina will have a day to rest before their dramatic showdown with France, whom they beat 96-90 in double overtime on August 27 in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers. Slovenia meanwhile face hosts Germany, a team that beat them 90-71 on August 28 in the European Qualifiers.