Nikola Milutinov laments playing his worst in Serbia’s most important game
Nikola Milutinov and Serbia team in the Fiba World Cup final. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—After his sensational outing in the Fiba World Cup semifinal last Friday, big man Nikola Milutinov suddenly went blank when Serbia needed him most in the final.
Milutinov statistically had his worst game of the global competition on Sunday as Serbia lost to Germany, 83-77, and settled for another silver finish.
After posting a monster double-double against Canada in the semis with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Milutinov only had two points in the one-off Final going 0-of-4 from the field.
“It was really difficult, I couldn’t find my rhythm the whole game, unfortunately,” Milutinov said at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday. “I should have been better, of course. I have to work better and harder.”
This was his lowest output in scoring out of eight games, after his his nine-point performance against Lithuania in the quarters.
The rebounding department was also hell for a 7-foot big as Milutinov only managed four boards after averaging 8.4 rebounds the whole tournament.
His counterpart Johannes Voigtmann, meanwhile, took advantage of the Olympiacos BC player’s off-night, posting 12 markers and eight boards for Germany.
His off-night couldn’t have come at a worse time, with no chances for a bounce back for Serbia as Germany ran away with its first ever Fiba World Cup championship.
“I feel sad for not bringing home the gold but it’s the result.”
The Serbians took home their second silver medal in the last three editions of the World Cup after finishing second to Team USA in 2014.
WATCH: Nikola Milutinov after Serbia’s loss to Germany. #FIBAWC | via Melo FuertesREAD: inq.news/Germany-wins-FIBAWC
Posted by Inquirer Sports on Sunday, September 10, 2023
