Serbia U18 Women opened their FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship Division A campaign with a hard-fought 76–68 victory over Belgium U18 Women on Friday, August 7, 2026. The win showcased Serbia’s poise in the closing minutes, as they overcame a determined Belgian side that had trimmed the deficit to a single possession early in the fourth quarter.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Serbia controlled the tempo with disciplined half-court offense and active defensive rotations. Belgium stayed within striking distance throughout the first half, but Serbia used a strong third-quarter surge to build a double-digit lead. The hosts refused to fade, pushing the ball in transition and cutting the margin to 63–61 with under five minutes remaining. Serbia responded with a decisive 9–2 run, converting key free throws down the stretch to seal the 68–76 road win.

Key Moments

• Serbia’s third-quarter push: After leading by just five at halftime, Serbia opened the third quarter with a 10–2 run, forcing Belgium to chase the game.
• Belgium’s fourth-quarter rally: A series of aggressive drives and offensive rebounds brought Belgium back to within two points, energizing the home crowd.
• Clutch execution: Serbia answered Belgium’s run with back-to-back baskets in the paint and converted six of eight free throws in the final two minutes to put the game away.

Tactical Story

Serbia’s biggest advantage came on the glass and in the half-court. They outrebounded Belgium on the offensive end, creating second-chance opportunities that proved critical against Belgium’s swarming zone defense. Defensively, Serbia switched effectively on screens and denied Belgium’s primary ball-handlers from initiating easy pick-and-roll looks. Belgium found success when they sped the game up, scoring in transition and attacking the rim before Serbia’s defense could get set, but they could not sustain that pace for all 40 minutes.

Players to Remember

• Serbia’s backcourt trio: Combined for over 35 points, with the lead guard orchestrating a patient offense and knocking down timely mid-range jumpers.
• Belgium’s frontcourt: Provided a strong inside presence, finishing well around the basket and cleaning up misses. Their ability to draw fouls kept Belgium in the game during the second half.
• Bench production: Serbia’s reserves outscored their Belgian counterparts, a key factor in maintaining energy during the decisive stretch.

Tournament Impact

This opening victory gives Serbia early momentum in the Division A group stage, placing them in a strong position to advance to the knockout rounds. For Belgium, the narrow loss is a valuable learning experience against a physical opponent, but they will need to tighten their defense in late-game situations to keep their qualification hopes alive. Serbia will look to build on their balanced attack, while Belgium will aim to bounce back quickly with improved transition defense in their next fixture.