Serbia take U20 EuroBasket silver after Slovenia win the final

Serbia's players celebrate together during their run to the European final.

Serbia won the silver medal at the under-20 European Championship in Ljubljana. Slovenia took the title with an 84-65 victory in Sunday's final.

The host team led from the end of the opening quarter. Serbia stayed close at first, but Slovenia increased the margin before half-time.

Slovenia then controlled the third period and protected the lead until the finish. Serbia kept competing, although the outside shots did not fall often enough.

Slovenia created the decisive margin before the last quarter

The opening minutes were balanced and physical. Both teams defended the paint and made every early possession difficult.

Slovenia finished the first quarter two points ahead. That small advantage reflected the close start and Serbia's solid defensive work.

The hosts found more space during the second period. Their passing moved Serbia's defence, while several different players completed attacks.

Serbia reached half-time eight points behind. The team still had enough time to respond, but needed a stronger start after the break.

Instead, Slovenia opened the second half with greater accuracy. The hosts scored from the perimeter and also finished chances near the basket.

Serbia's long-range shooting remained the main problem. Good defensive possessions were not followed by enough points at the other end.

The gap reached seventeen points before the final quarter. Slovenia no longer needed to hurry and managed the remaining minutes carefully.

Serbia tried to reduce the difference through direct drives and free throws. Slovenia answered those attacks and did not allow a late run.

More than six thousand spectators attended the final in Arena Stozice. Most supported Slovenia, which gave the hosts a clear home atmosphere.

Petar Radovic applauds after Serbia secured a place in the final.

Balanced scoring carried Slovenia through the final

Vit Hrabar led Slovenia with eighteen points. Four team-mates also reached double figures, so Serbia could not focus on one scorer.

That balance separated the teams during the middle quarters. Slovenia found another option whenever Serbia closed the first passing lane.

The hosts also protected the ball and created good shots through patient movement. Their advantage grew without one long and unusual scoring burst.

Serbia had useful moments inside the paint. Nikola Dzepina remained active around the basket and completed a strong personal tournament.

Dzepina was later selected in the tournament's best five. The award recognised his work throughout Serbia's seven games, not only the final.

Serbia entered the title game after six straight victories. That run included difficult knockout matches and showed consistency across the event.

The semifinal against Spain was the most demanding victory. Serbia won 72-65 after building an early lead and resisting Spain's late pressure.

Spain reduced the gap during the second half. Serbia answered at important moments and never allowed the opponent to move in front.

The result placed Serbia in the final of a major youth tournament. It also guaranteed a medal before the last game began.

Serbian athletes also competed for national club honours in Kraljevo on the same Sunday.

The final brought a different challenge. Slovenia had home support, an unbeaten record and several players able to score in quick succession.

Serbia had earlier faced Latvia, Lithuania and Poland in the group stage. The team then advanced through every knockout round before Sunday.

The squad adapted to different opponents during that run. Close games and clearer victories both required disciplined defensive work.

The place in the final was already a major result. Serbia still entered the last game with the title available.

Two Serbian players embrace after the semifinal victory over Spain.

Silver completed Serbia's six-win campaign

Serbia finished the championship with six victories and one defeat. Only Slovenia completed the tournament without losing a game.

The Serbian team progressed from its group and handled each knockout round before the final. Different players made important contributions along the way.

The defence often gave Serbia control during that run. It limited opponents for long periods and created chances to attack before defences were organised.

The final exposed a different problem. Serbia could not match Slovenia's outside shooting and had to attack against a settled defence too often.

That does not erase the work completed during the previous six games. Serbia defeated every earlier opponent and earned its place in the title match.

Slovenia celebrated its first under-20 European title in more than two decades. The hosts finished the tournament with seven victories from seven games.

Matej Padjen received the award for the tournament's most valuable player. Dzepina represented Serbia in the official best five.

Spain took the bronze medal, while France finished fourth. Serbia therefore left Ljubljana as the second-best team in the championship.

The final was decided more clearly on the perimeter than near the basket. Both teams converted their inside chances at a similar rate.

Slovenia made enough outside shots to stretch Serbia's defence. Serbian misses then allowed the hosts to protect the paint.

The medal ceremony closed a demanding week for the Serbian squad. Every player had shared the work across the seven-game schedule.

The medal also rewards a complete tournament rather than one evening. Serbia showed reliable defence, depth and composure across the group and knockout stages.

Sunday's loss decided the colour of the medal. The previous victories had already secured Serbia's place among Europe's leading youth teams.