Today is the day – our basketball team is finally stepping onto the biggest European stage! Bosnia and Herzegovina is starting its first participation at FIBA EuroBasket 2025, and the first test awaits them today on the court in Limassol.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina basketball team is starting its appearance at EuroBasket today, despite numerous injuries to key players that have disrupted plans. Coach Adis Bećiragić and the team leaders have nevertheless shown incredible resilience and optimism, determined to do their best and show how to play for the jersey.
This is a rival that the BiH national team has already defeated twice in the European Championship qualifiers, but coach Adis Bećiragić warns that there should be no relaxation and that every opponent should be respected:
– We beat them twice by a large margin and that worries me a little. We have to get serious now, every new game is a challenge. We can win, we can lose and we will have respect for every opponent. We will play with a slightly larger five to take over, to have a more aggressive defense. We will have to change the style of play, the players are aware of that. A lot will also depend on John Roberson, we could have two types of five – Bećiragić emphasized.
Our selection in Group C could not wish for an easier opponent for the opening than Cyprus – the host and underdog of the championship. During the qualifiers, BiH has already won convincingly twice: 99:66 on their field and even 108:62 in Mejdan-dvor in Tuzla, which confirmed our placement in Eurobasket. Cyprus’ last official victory dates back to May 2023, when they defeated Malta with a score of 75:50.
Despite the absence of Džanan Musa and Xavier Castaneda due to injuries, Bećiragić emphasizes that the team responded to the challenges: “We will do our best to play well. I think what we have at the moment is good enough.” He particularly emphasized the role of Jusuf Nurkić, which is now even more important: “After Musa was eliminated, the burden is even more on Nurkić’s shoulders… I’m very happy to have him.”
The Dragons excelled in the preparations – they defeated Belgium 90:74, with Jusuf Nurkić leading the team with 25 points, while Kenan Kamenjaš, Edin Atić and Adin Vrabac made strong contributions. This triumph brought additional confidence before the clash with Cyprus.
The Eurobasket team consists of: Miralem Halilović, Jusuf Nurkić, Edin Atić, Amar Gegić, Kenan Kamenjaš, Amar Alibegović, Aleksandar Lazić, Adin Vrabac, Ajdin Penava, Adnan Arslanagić, John Roberson and Tarik Hrelja. Roberson was invited as a naturalized player after Castaneda was injured.
The match against Cyprus will be played on Thursday, August 28, at the Spyros Kyprianou Stadium in Limassol, starting at 5:15 PM – with a live broadcast on Federal TV. After Cyprus, big challenges follow: Spain on Saturday, Italy on Sunday, Greece on Tuesday, and we end the tournament with a clash with Georgia on Thursday.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will stand strongly behind their team: “We stand with you, Dragons!” The belief in victory still persists, and tonight’s duel could become the introduction to an unforgettable European story.
