Bogdanovic draws inspiration from injured comrade in win over Lithuania
At A Glance
- Bogdan Bogdanovic and the rest of the Serbian team drew inspiration from their fallen comrade Borisa Semanic who had one of his kidneys removed due to a complication on an injury he sustained during their 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign.
Bogdan Bogdanovic and the rest of the Serbian team drew inspiration from their injured comrade Borisa Simanic who had one of his kidneys removed due to a complication on an injury he sustained during their 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign.

Simanic, despite still recovering in the hospital after undergoing two surgeries, made sure to show his support and reached out to the team before the knockout quarterfinals game against Lithuania – something that definitely served as motivation for Serbia according to team captain Bogdan Bogdanovic.
He went down with an injury late in the game against South Sudan in the first round of the tournament after being at the receiving end of an inadvertent elbow from Nuni Omot.
"He texted us this morning. He texted us ,like, 'hey guys, I'm alright after two surgeries, I'm alright. I'm healthy. Let's get the win. Don't think about me and let's win tonight’,” shared Bogdanovic.
“It was a huge boost (for us), huge energy for us so thanks to Borisa, not just this game, but this is also for him,” he added.
Serbia did respond and fought for Simanic as the Eagles dominated the Lithuanians on both ends of the floor, limiting the Baltic nation to just 36-percent shooting from deep while they put up an efficient 55-percent clip from the field.
The Serbians advanced to the semifinals after a convincing 87-68 win over Lithuania.
Bogdanovic shared that he was actually worried about their game against a rousing Lithuanian team which cruised to the first two rounds of the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record including a big 110-104 win over Team USA.
But Simanic’s message proved to be the calming words he needed ahead of the crucial match.
“I was especially nervous. I was somehow in my young age. I was always losing against Lithuania, and I was so nervous. Then I saw the message from Borisa in the morning after the long meeting,” said Bogdanovic who started it all for Serbia, dropping 18 of his 21 points in the first half
“Our teammate who is still with us, Simanic, he gave us amazing energy.”