Croatia head into the EuroBasket after a convincing 84-53 win over Switzerland
August 29, 2022 (HKS).
The Croatian national basketball team has achieved its second victory during the pre-qualification for the EuroBasket 2025. In Opatija, Damir Mulaomerović’s team defeated Switzerland 84:53 (50:26).
Croatia has shown authority and seriousness from the start. A 6:0 start increased to 22:10 by the end of the first quarter. Bojan Bogdanović (7), Dario Šarić (5) and Karlo Matković (4) made a particularly inspired start.
In the second quarter, Croatia increased the pace and the lead grew steadily. After a great assist by Dominik Mavra for Matković, Croatia led 27-13. Bogdanović’s three-pointer followed to make it 32:17 and Matković’s first escape to a 20-point lead (37:17). By half-time, the lead grew to +24 (50:26).
By then, Matković had already put in a great performance with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Bogdanović scored 10 points and Dario Šarić scored 9 with 6 rebounds and two assists. Krunoslav Simon, although without a point, amassed four assists and two steals by halftime.
The second half was an ideal opportunity for coach Mulaomerović to use his strength before heading to the EuroBasket, which starts on September 1, and give a chance to players who have less participated in the preparations and pre-qualifications for Eurobasket 2025. This did not affect the result. Matković was replaced under the basket by Ivica Zubac and his dunk gave Croatia a 30+ point lead for the first time (59-28). The Croatians went into the last quarter at +29 (70-41) and the game ended peacefully.
Karlo Matković finished the game with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks, Dario Saric scored 13 (7 rebounds), Ivica Zubac (7 rebounds) and Bojan Bogdanović 12 each, Toni Perković and Jaleen Smith 7 each and Roko Prkačin 6 points.
The first game of the EuroBasket in Milan will take place on Friday 2 September 2022 at 17:00 against Greece.
Result after quarters: 22-10, 28-16, 20-15, 14-12
Find the box score here