In a night that will be etched in the memory of Bosnian basketball fans for years to come, Jusuf Nurkic and Bosnia and Herzegovina stormed their way into the EuroBasket 2025 Round of 16, clinching a gritty 84-76 victory over Georgia. The Spyros Kyprianou Arena in Limassol, Cyprus, was buzzing as Bosnia not only secured their spot in the knockout stage for the first time since 1993, but also proved that resilience and unity can overcome adversity—on and off the court.
From the opening tip, Bosnia and Herzegovina looked like a team on a mission. The stakes couldn’t have been higher: a do-or-die clash in what many dubbed the tournament’s “group of death.” Despite missing star forward Dzanan Musa and having faced a string of setbacks, Bosnia entered the game with a 2-2 record, needing a win to advance. The team responded with a display of determination, leading for the entire forty minutes and building a 15-point cushion in the third quarter. But Georgia, led by the relentless Sandro Mamukelashvili and Kamar Baldwin, refused to go quietly. They clawed back, tying the game at 69-69 early in the fourth quarter after a clutch three-pointer from Baldwin.
That’s when Bosnia’s composure shone through. Jusuf Nurkic, the Utah Jazz center and backbone of the Bosnian squad, answered Georgia’s surge with a timely hook shot off an Edin Atic assist—snapping the tie and igniting an 11-2 run that effectively sealed the result. "We’re not done. We just made the second phase," Nurkic told gathered reporters after the game, his voice steady but brimming with pride. "This was probably in the hope of changing the minds of the people and the governments, and maybe they finally agreed that it should be better for the next generation, for the young generation to want to wear the jersey, but I can’t really control those things. I can only call out. I’m here to help any way I can, playing, financially, whatever I have to do."
Nurkic’s double-double—15 points (6-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-5 from deep) and 12 rebounds—was his third straight of the tournament. His presence was felt in every facet of the game, not only anchoring the defense but also providing a calming influence when the pressure reached its peak. John Roberson matched Nurkic’s scoring output with 15 points of his own, knocking down four three-pointers and dishing five assists. Aleksandar Lazic chipped in 13 points, while Edin Atic filled the stat sheet with 11 points, eight assists, and two blocks. Adin Vrabac was perfect from beyond the arc, contributing 10 points in a balanced team effort.
Georgia, for their part, fought valiantly. Mamukelashvili, who plies his trade with the Toronto Raptors, poured in 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Baldwin added 18 points and four assists. Goga Bitadze was a force inside with 15 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Yet, Georgia’s bench struggled to make an impact, contributing just four points—a telling statistic in a game where depth often makes the difference.
As the final buzzer sounded, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s supporters erupted in celebration. It was more than just a win; it was a statement. For the first time in 32 years, Bosnia had advanced to the EuroBasket knockout rounds, finishing third in Group C with a 3-2 record. Their opponent in the Round of 16 remains undecided, with the final group standings hinging on the outcomes of Italy vs. Cyprus and Greece vs. Spain later that evening.
The postgame atmosphere was electric, but Nurkic’s mind was already on the bigger picture. He spoke candidly about the struggles the Bosnian national team has faced, particularly the lack of consistent government funding. "I wish it weren’t like that. I wish it’s better in a way, by government funding," he said, reflecting on times he personally financed the team’s travel and accommodations. "To be like a normal country, like everywhere else, where people don’t have to worry about certain things like small things, traveling, and hotels, and certain stuff."
His words carried weight, not only because of his stature as an NBA star but also due to his unwavering commitment to the national cause. "Sometimes it’s better to stay inside, but sometimes you have to go outside," Nurkic remarked, underscoring his willingness to advocate for change both on and off the court. He hopes that his efforts—and Bosnia’s success—will inspire the next generation to proudly wear the national jersey.
When asked about the unique nature of EuroBasket compared to the NBA, Nurkic offered a thoughtful perspective: "There’s such a difference because it’s only one game, and to me it’s more like a knockout phase like March Madness than it’s like a playoff series. It’s fun." That sense of urgency and unpredictability was on full display in Limassol, where every possession felt like it could swing the fate of a nation.
Meanwhile, the rest of Group C and Group D were still in flux. With Bosnia locked into the third seed, all eyes shifted to the remaining matchups. Nurkic, ever the competitor, predicted that Greece would topple Spain, which would send Georgia to fourth place and eliminate the defending champions from further contention. Whether his prediction would come true remained to be seen, but there was no doubting the confidence and belief surging through the Bosnian camp.
The EuroBasket 2025 knockout phase is set to begin in Riga, Latvia, on Saturday, September 6th. Bosnia and Herzegovina will enter the next round with momentum, unity, and a sense of destiny. The journey has been anything but easy—marked by adversity, sacrifice, and hard-fought victories—but for Nurkic and his teammates, the dream is very much alive.
As the dust settles in Cyprus and anticipation builds for the battles ahead, one thing is clear: Bosnia and Herzegovina’s run at EuroBasket 2025 is about more than basketball. It’s about pride, perseverance, and the hope of a brighter future for the nation and its young athletes. And with Jusuf Nurkic leading the way, who’s to say how far this story can go?
