ALIMPIJEVIC'S POWERFUL MESSAGE: 'In God's name, let's return the break in Istanbul'

February 27, 2026

TL;DR

Serbia lost to Turkey 82-78 in the third round of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Coach Dušan Alimpijević cited a slow start and defensive lapses against specific Turkish players as key issues.
Despite the loss, Alimpijević highlighted the team's character and comeback performance, showing resilience against a strong opponent.
He expressed confidence in Serbia's position in the qualifiers and vowed to "return the break" in the next game in Istanbul.
Alimpijević discussed challenges with player availability compared to Turkey, noting instances where players played despite injuries or through special arrangements.
Notable player movements include Kalinić leaving the camp as agreed, and the arrival of Avramović and Dangubić.
The coach praised the team's fighting spirit and the potential of young Serbian talent.

Continue reading the original article