Serbia Men’s Basketball Captain Bogdan Bogdanovic Accuses Referees of Favoring Team USA in Olympic Semifinal Loss
In a dramatic Olympic semifinal showdown at Bercy Arena in Paris, France, Serbia’s men’s basketball team captain, Bogdan Bogdanovic, made bold claims about the officiating after his team’s narrow defeat to Team USA. The United States staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 17-point deficit to secure a 95-91 victory and advance to the men’s basketball final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Speaking to reporters following the intense clash, Bogdanovic expressed his frustration, alleging that the referees provided the Americans with favorable treatment throughout the game. “We tried to talk to the referees,” Bogdanovic said. “They didn’t try to talk to us, but it’s okay. The USA doesn’t need that type of help against us. We didn’t have that type of help when they were grabbing us with two hands and all that. We played the best we could.”
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Bogdanovic, who scored 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting, acknowledged the difficulty of facing Team USA’s powerful lineup.
Despite his strong performance, Serbia was unable to withstand the American onslaught, particularly from Steph Curry, who delivered a stellar showing with 36 points, including nine three-pointers.
Curry’s final three-pointer with 2:24 remaining gave Team USA an 87-86 lead, which they maintained to close out the game.
The Serbian captain’s remarks have sparked controversy, with some fans and analysts questioning whether Bogdanovic’s comments were an attempt to deflect responsibility for the loss.
Notably, Bogdanovic was involved in a critical moment late in the first half that some observers believe may have fueled Team USA’s comeback.
Whether or not the officiating played a decisive role in the outcome, the Serbian team’s resilience and Bogdanovic’s leadership were on full display, even as they fell short against a formidable American squad.
As the dust settles on this thrilling semifinal, the conversation around the officiating and its impact on the game is likely to continue, adding another layer of intrigue to the Olympic basketball tournament.
