Serbia make emphatic start to Basketball World Cup

FOSHAN, China: Strongly fancied Serbia made a ruthless start to their Basketball World Cup title bid, thrashing Angola 105-59 in the opening match of the tournament in China on Saturday.

The United States are the two-time defending champions but are missing their biggest stars and some believe Serbia can snatch the Americans’ long-held crown.Serbia were strong favourites against Angola in the southern city of Foshan and wasted no time stamping their mark on the 32-team World Cup. The United States, who have named a young side, open their defence on Sunday in Shanghai against the Czech Republic.

The Americans are without the likes of LeBron James, but Serbian coach Sasha Djordjevic said that Gregg Popovich’s team — who are still packed with NBA talent — remain the side to beat in China. “I am not thinking about the USA team,” Djordjevic said. “I do respect them, I think they are the biggest favourites.”

“They don’t have some of the players but they still have a great, great team with great players, great coach.”Guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, of the NBA team Sacramento Kings, led the way for Olympic and world silver medallists Serbia, scoring 24 points against the wilting Angolans.

Nikola Jokic, the lumbering Denver Nuggets All-Star who is key to Serbia’s chances, brought up 100 points with a free throw on the way to him racking up 14 points. Serbia were comfortably ahead 50-32 at half-time and rammed home their handsome advantage in the second period against the outclassed Africans. “Serious game, serious approach, serious preparation,” said the stern Djordjevic.

In other early matches, Russia edged Nigeria — touted as a possible surprise-package — in a thriller in Group B. Russia led at half-time, only for Nigeria to surge level at the end of the third quarter.