The 2017 Serbia EuroBasket team represented Serbia and won the silver medal at the EuroBasket 2017 in Helsinki (Finland), Tel Aviv (Israel), Cluj-Napoca (Romania) and Istanbul (Turkey). They were automatically qualified for the EuroBasket by taking the 4th place in EuroBasket 2015. The team was coached by Aleksandar ÃÂorÃÂeviÃÂ, with assistant coaches Miroslav NikoliÃÂ, Milan MiniÃÂ and Jovica AntoniÃÂ.
The EuroBasket 2017 was the 40th edition of the EuroBasket championship that is organized by FIBA Europe.
Other than guard Stefan MarkoviÃÂâÂÂwho had announced his retirement from international basketball after the 2016 Olympics at the age of 28âÂÂeach player from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics silver-winning team was also included on the 25-man preliminary roster for EuroBasket 2017. The upcoming EuroBasket would thus mark the first time that the Serbian national team is without Stefan Markoviàat a major tournament since Serbia went independent in 2006.
Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Nemanja Bjelica was included on the 25-man roster, despite a left foot injury he had sustained in March 2017, which made him unavailable to join the team. Denver Nuggets center Nikola JokiÃÂ announced on July 3 that he would not be showing up at the training camp, citing his desire to prepare for the following NBA season. In addition to Bjelica and JokiÃÂ who were unavailable due to injury or personal reasons, six more players were cut by head coach ÃÂorÃÂeviÃÂ: Nikola Milutinov, Nemanja DangubiÃÂ, Ognjen Jaramaz, Ognjen DobriÃÂ, Aleksa Radanov, and Dejan Davidovac.
On July 29, with the 17-player training camp already under way for some ten days, the first one to drop out was Marko SimonoviÃÂ due to injuring his right thumb.
On August 17, head coach Aleksandar ÃÂorÃÂeviÃÂ announced that center Miroslav Raduljica would not be able to play at the championship, due to a knee injury.
Three days later, on August 20, head coach ÃÂorÃÂeviàannounced that team captain Miloà ¡ Teodosiàwould also be unable to continue, due to a chronic thigh injury. Power forward Milan MaÃÂvan was selected as a new team captain due to TeodosiÃÂ's inability to play at the EuroBasket.
On August 29, it was announced that Nemanja NedoviÃÂ and Nikola KaliniÃÂ wouldn't be able to participate at the championships, due to injuries.
The members of Serbia roster at the 2016 Summer Olympics guards Bogdan BogdanoviÃÂ, Stefan JoviÃÂ, forwards Stefan BirÃÂeviÃÂ, Milan MaÃÂvan and center Vladimir à  timac are coming back to EuroBasket roster, while guards forwards Branko LaziÃÂ, Marko Guduriàand Vladimir LuÃÂiàmake senior men's debut with the Serbian national team, at a major international tournament. Center Boban Marjanoviàmakes the first appearance at a major tournament since the EuroBasket 2011 while guard Vasilije Miciàpreviously played at the EuroBasket 2013. Guard Dragan Milosavljeviàand center Ognjen Kuzmiàmade their debuts at the EuroBasket 2015.
The following were candidates to make the team:
<small>Source: KSS</small>
The Serbia roster has begun its exhibition schedule against Serbian University team on August 2, 2017. They had participated at the 2017 Belgrade Trophy (August 11âÂÂ13) together with Greece and Montenegro, then at the Supercup in Hamburg, Germany (August 17âÂÂ20) with Germany, Poland and Russia. Last games were at the 2017 Acropolis of Athens Tournament where they played together with Greece, Italy and Georgia from August 23âÂÂ25.
Serbia played nine exhibition games. Had just one lost. The Serbia roster won the Belgrade Trophy and the Hamburg Supercup and came the second at the Acropolis of Athens.
<small>All times are local (UTC+3)</small>
Serbia made the early running before Hungary fought back nearing half-time and the second-half was a near mirror image. Hungary got within 7 points early in the fourth but Serbia steadied, with their dominance on the inside too much for Hungary to handle. Hungary made a comeback bid in the last quarter getting the margin to within 7 points with 8 minutes left after hitting consecutive threes. However, a pretty penetration and dish by Stefan JoviÃÂ to Milan MaÃÂvan steadied things for Serbia before Boban MarjanoviÃÂ scored four quick points to snuff out Hungary's challenge. Ognjen KuzmiÃÂ was a handful for Hungary all game and finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a commanding performance. Serbia's size was too much for Hungary and that showed on the glass with their 37-23 domination in rebounds.
Serbia outscored Italy 26-16 in a dominant second quarter to take command of the contest. Italy appeared set to stage a comeback midway through the fourth, getting within 8 points, but Bogdan BogdanoviÃÂ hit a three and scored another bucket on the next possession to steady Serbia. Serbia took full advantage of their size advantage by dominating on the boards to convincingly win the rebounds 44-19. BogdanoviÃÂ struggled in the opening three quarters scoring just 8 points, including 0-of-7 from three. However, he came alive in the fourth to ensure Serbia would not have any nervous moments.
It was a game of spurts with momentum swinging wildly within minutes. Russia trailed for much of the game by double digits before getting within 2 points midway through the fourth. Aleksey Shved missed a wide open deep three for the lead, only for Vasilije MiciÃÂ to connect from deep at the other end. It gave the momentum to Serbia and they hung on from there. With the towering Boban MarjanoviÃÂ, Serbia absolutely dominated in the paint, despite Russia having no shortage of size themselves. Serbia won the battle down-low, outscoring Russia 44-22 in the paint. Serbia led for most of the game through a 14-0 run in the second quarter. However, the game took several turns as Russia would not give up. With Shved scoring in spurts, Russia fought right back getting it to a single possession game until Serbia steadied late.