Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has added fuel to the fire of controversy following Serbia’s heart-wrenching 95-91 loss to Team USA in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Vučić took to social media to voice his outrage over a missed traveling violation by Joel Embiid, which occurred during a critical moment in the game. The missed call, which Vučić claims directly impacted the outcome, has sparked widespread debate and has Serbian fans feeling cheated.
“In which country is it not a traveling violation?” Vučić tweeted on Friday, expressing his frustration with the refereeing. He didn’t stop there, adding, “P.S. Next time, please tell us in advance who we’re not allowed to beat.” The president’s pointed remarks, translated from Serbian, captured the collective anger of a nation that believed its team was on the cusp of a monumental upset.
У којој земљи ово нису кораци?
П.С. Следећи пут нам унапред кажите кога не смемо да победимо. pic.twitter.com/7ssnZ34p6b— Александар Вучић (@predsednikrs) August 9, 2024
The incident in question occurred when Team USA was trailing by 12 points in the third quarter. Embiid received the ball and appeared to take several steps before completing a powerful two-handed dunk that brought the score to 59-49, keeping the Americans within striking distance. The Serbian bench, along with their coaching staff, erupted in protest, insisting that the referees should have called a traveling violation on Embiid. However, the call never came, and the game continued, much to the dismay of the Serbian side.
Serbia had dominated much of the game, holding a 17-point lead at one point, and looked poised to deliver a stunning blow to the heavily favored Americans. But a furious fourth-quarter rally by Team USA, led by Steph Curry’s 36-point explosion and Joel Embiid’s 19-point effort, saw the Serbs’ lead evaporate in the final minutes.
The controversial no-call has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Serbian fans, who believe that their team’s chance at Olympic gold was unfairly snatched away. Vučić’s comments reflect a broader sentiment of disillusionment with the officiating, which many in Serbia see as biased toward the more prominent, star-studded Team USA.
Before President Vučić’s public criticism, Serbian shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanović also voiced his displeasure with the referees. Bogdanović, who played a pivotal role in Serbia’s strong performance, didn’t mince words when discussing the officiating. In a post-game interview, he accused the referees of ignoring the Serbian players’ attempts to communicate and of showing bias in their calls.
“We tried to talk to [the officials]; they didn’t try to talk to us. They just walked away,” Bogdanović said, clearly frustrated. He continued, “But it’s OK. The USA doesn’t need that type of help against us. You know, we didn’t have that type of help when they were grabbing us with two hands and all that.”
Bogdanović’s frustration was palpable, especially given how well he played for the first three quarters. The 31-year-old guard scored 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including 3-of-10 from beyond the arc. His sharp shooting and leadership were instrumental in building and maintaining Serbia’s lead until the disastrous fourth quarter.
The missed call on Joel Embiid is likely to remain a sore point for Serbia, especially given how the game turned out. After dominating for 30 minutes, Serbia was outscored 32-15 in the final quarter, with Joel Embiid scoring seven of his 19 points during that stretch. LeBron James also contributed a 13-point triple-double, sealing Serbia’s fate.
For Serbia, this loss will undoubtedly go down as a what-if moment in their basketball history. The team’s resilience and skill were on full display, but the controversy surrounding the officiating has overshadowed what could have been a historic victory.
The debate over the refereeing in this semifinal will linger long after the final whistle of the Olympic tournament. President Vučić’s comments underscore the frustration and sense of injustice felt by many in Serbia. While officiating errors are part and parcel of sports, the stakes at an event like the Olympics make every call — or non-call — magnified.
It’s worth noting that while the missed traveling violation on Joel Embiid was glaring, Serbia still had control of the game heading into the fourth quarter. The USA’s superior depth and experience ultimately made the difference, as they found another gear when it mattered most. Yet, the question remains: would the outcome have been different if the travel had been called?
Basketball is a game of momentum, and even small officiating mistakes can shift the balance in a close contest. For Serbia, this missed call will remain a haunting reminder of how close they came to glory, only to see it slip away under controversial circumstances.
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