Montenegro secured a vital 87-81 win against Sweden at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, keeping their hopes of reaching the Round of 16 alive. The victory, Montenegro’s first in the tournament, saw a standout performance from NBA star Nikola Vucevic, who was instrumental in overcoming a mid-game deficit.
Key Takeaways
- Nikola Vucevic delivered an all-around dominant performance with 23 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.
- Kyle Allman provided crucial scoring in the fourth quarter, contributing 10 points in under two minutes to secure the lead.
- Montenegro’s win keeps their qualification hopes for the Round of 16 intact.
- Sweden, despite a strong effort led by Pelle Larsson, now faces an uncertain path to the next stage.
Vucevic’s Dominance Powers Montenegro
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic was the driving force behind Montenegro’s much-needed victory. His impressive stat line, including 23 points and 15 rebounds, earned him an efficiency rating of 40. Vucevic’s leadership was evident throughout the game, particularly in the critical final moments.
A Game of Momentum Swings
Montenegro established a 40-34 lead by halftime after a physical first half. However, Sweden responded strongly in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 31-24 to take a narrow 65-64 lead. The game remained tight in the final minutes, with Kyle Allman stepping up to score 10 quick points, giving Montenegro an 80-77 advantage with less than two minutes remaining. Montenegro ultimately held their nerve to close out the win.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Montenegro improves its record and can secure a spot in the Round of 16 with another win against Great Britain. For Sweden, the loss puts their qualification fate in the hands of other results. Pelle Larsson was the top scorer for Sweden with 28 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Montenegro’s late surge.
Other Tournament Highlights
In other EuroBasket 2025 action, Germany and Turkey continued their perfect runs, extending their winning streaks. Serbia also remained unbeaten, securing a comfortable win. Lithuania clinched a spot in the Round of 16 after defeating host Finland.
Sources
- Vucevic stars as Montenegro keep Round of 16 hopes alive, FIBA.
- EuroBasket 2025: Montenegro beats Sweden while Turkey, Germany stay perfect, NBA.
- Nikola Vucevic leads Montenegro to first EuroBasket 2025 win, TalkBasket.net.
- Vucevic’s 23 points help Montenegro beat Sweden 87-81 at EuroBasket, Daily Sitka Sentinel.
- Bulls star calls win over Sweden a turning point for Montenegro, BasketNews.com.
