Yugoslavia brave Russian storm

Canada had been a step on the way, crushed by the Yugoslav machine in a group match.

But plenty of bigger scalps were taken as Yugoslavia went on to regain the crown they won in 1990 but were unable to defend four years later because of international sports sanctions the in force against them.

The success was all the more remarkable because the European Champions came to Greece without four of their top players due to injury and the NBA dispute.

But their absence was barely noticed as Dejan Bodiroga, a future NBA prospect, centre Zeljko Rebraca and playmaker and inspirational captain Sasa Djordjevic all rose brilliantly to the task.

Bodiroga, voted thetournament’s most valuable player, remained admirably cool in the white-hot atmosphere of Saturday’s semifinal with Greece scoring a succession of valuable points in overtime.

Rebraca top scored in the final and, critically, produced brilliant block 30 seconds from the end of normal time which would have given the Russians a one-point lead and possibly the title.

But it was gold for Yugoslavia and deservedly so. Their only defeat in the tournament was a narrow 61-60 reverse in group play by Italy.

Coach Zeljko Obradovic said: “We didn’t consider ourselves favourites and that showed in the way the game turned out. The victory was mainly due to a very good defence. It was a very nervous and physical game.”

The Yugoslavs paraded the trophy proudly round the arena to the delight of their 2,000 strong following. Earlier, “Sasa” Djordjevic, one of their other stars, had draped himself in his country’s flag, happily inviting salutes.

As on Saturday, the Yugoslav fans were held back for security reasonsbut they were rewarded when the players made a second appearance.

The result spelt another disappointment for Russia, runners-up four years ago when an NBA US squad swept to the gold medal in the absence of the banned Yugoslavs.

Sergei Panov and Igor Koudelin ended on 14 points each for Russia but significantly the Yugoslavs managed to keep in single figures Sergei Babkov and Vassilij Karassev, both heavy scorer at various stages earlier in the tournament.

Russian coach Sergei Belov said: “They deserved to win but my team played quite well. My players did what the coaching staff asked them to do, especially in first half.”

The much criticised Americans, a composite of minor League talent assembled in the last month when the NBA stars were locked out, won bronze beating Greece 84-61.