Serbia is new U19 World Champion! This is huge success not only for Serbian players, but also for European basketball after two World Cup medals.
Among Serbian medias and basketball public this generation of players was called "losers" because of poor performances on previous youth competitions, but kids simply erased all opponents from the court and proved that in this moment they are the best on the World.

Even without one of the best players, Marko Keselj, who injured hand in quarter-finals, Serbian team dominated against USA for 40 minutes and took gold medal practically without problems.
USA was undefeated team until final match, but today simply they didn't have answer for grandiose Serbian defense. USA came closer only few times when they made difference smaller, around -4 and -5.

Serbia showed impressive quality in final game on many ways. Captain of the team, fantastic playmaker, Stefan Markovic who will probably play also in Spain on European Championship for seniors, end final game scorless, but he had 5 impressive steals and 6 steals. Markovic was calm and secure like he had 40 games like this one in career.
Milan Macvan was amazing under both baskets, while Mladen Jeremic showed why he was the best shooter on whole competition.

Everytime when USA team was close Serbian boys found concentration to score crucial triples. USA was totally without well-known rhythm. They made so many mistakes + catastrophic shooting from penalty line which cost them title.
It was obvious on medal ceremony that they were more then disappointed with result. USA expected gold, but Serbian kids simply gave them real lesson in every basketball element.

Serbian team was specially motivated after lot of understimating sentences from Serbian press before competiton, but USA coach Jerry Wainwright said after the game: "They have an outstanding team. They’re strong, they’re very big and they play very good defense" which closed comment list about this generation.

Serbs had huge support from fans who came in huge number.
It's interesting that this was 2nd Gold medal for Serbian youth team this summer after Gold medal on U20 European Championship.

Fantastic FMP Zeleznik's center Milan Macvan was elected for MVP of whole competition.
Paulo Sergio PAULÃO Prestes, impressive Brazilian center, is the best scorer and rebounder on Championship, while Zygimantas Janavicius was the best in assisting. Mladen Jeremic got award for the best 3pts shooter.

22.7.2007