Andrew Bogut, Australia Ousted by Serbia in Semi-Final 61-87

With a chance to play for a gold medal and have a rematch against Team USA, Australia found themselves blown out against Serbia in the semi-final.

After the United States beat Spain earlier in the day on Friday to secure their spot in the gold medal match on Sunday, all eyes pointed to Friday night’s game between Australia and Serbia.

Serbia came into the matchup after beating Croatia in the first round of the knockout stage. With everyone hoping for an Australia-USA rematch for a gold medal, they knew the odds were against them.

The surprise of Olympic basketball in Rio has undoubtedly been the impressive play of Australia. After beating France in their opening game by 21 and taking USA down the wire, they put the world on notice as they looked to earn prove their worth in Rio.

After earning the 2 seed and beating Lithuania in the first game of the knockout stage, Australia was looked at as the favorite heading into Friday night as many people had them penciled in for a gold medal game on Sunday with USA.

Good thing it was just penciled.

Serbia came out firing on all cylinders as it looked like they were the favorites all along.

In the first half, Australia trailed heavily in almost every category. They shot 27% from the field, recorded 14 less rebounds, and just eight points in the paint. Andrew Bogut and Matthew Dellavedova both went scoreless in the first half as Serbia led 35-14.

The second half was the Serbia show led by Milos Teodosic. For the fans who thought Australia would rally and overcome the Serbians, they would be let down as Serbia only increased their lead in the second half.

It was never a decent game as Serbia never let up and won the game 87-61.

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For the Dallas Mavericks, Andrew Bogut struggled like his teammates as he finished the game with four points and one rebound. Bogut has one more game in Rio (if he plays) before suiting up in Dallas come training camp this fall.

Patty Mills led the way for the Aussies with 13 points on 6/16 shooting. Dellavedova finished with three points and three assists.

For Serbia, it was Teodosic that led the way with 22 points on 9/14 shooting. Denver Nuggets forward, Nikola Jokic, finished with nine points and eleven rebounds.

See full box score here.

Bogut and Australia will face Spain for a shot at the bronze medal as Serbia takes on the Americans on Sunday for the gold.