Serbia rode the success of their star shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic in an 87-79 victory here Friday night over Russia in the EuroBasket semi-finals.
The Serbians took control at the outset of the contest at Sinan Erdem Dome helped magnificently by a 24-point haul from Bogdanovic.
He and his teammates used their speed and defensive pressure on star Russian shooting guard Aleksey Shved to grab a 25-20 lead after one quarter and a sizable 48-34 advantage at halftime.
Bogdanovic, who plays for the NBA Sacramento Kings, led his team with 13 points at the break, eclipsed just by Shved with 14.
The Russians came out with much more aggressiveness and edged as close as two points (75-73) with four minutes remaining.
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The 2.21-metre Boban Marjanovic backed up Bogdanovic's effort by scoring 18 points and grabbing six rebounds, while Shved could hold his head high with 33 points in a losing effort.
Serbia will take on Slovenia in Sunday night's final. Russia now plays Spain in the third-place play-off.
