The expectations were sky-high for Nikola Jokic and the Serbian national team heading into EuroBasket 2025. With the reigning NBA champion and MVP candidate leading the charge, Serbia entered the tournament as one of the clear favorites to capture the gold medal. For fans across Europe, anything less than a podium finish felt unimaginable given the depth and experience Serbia brought into the competition.

For a while, things seemed to be going according to plan. Serbia impressed during the group stage, cruising past their opponents and showcasing the kind of team basketball that has long been their calling card. With Jokic orchestrating the offense, Serbia looked every bit the powerhouse that many analysts had predicted. However, basketball is a game of unpredictability, and Serbia’s dream run came to a shocking halt in the knockout stages.

In one of the most surprising results of the tournament, Serbia was eliminated by Finland, led by Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen. The loss not only stunned Serbian fans but also reverberated across the international basketball community. For Jokic, who had entered EuroBasket with clear ambitions, it was a bitter and unexpected exit.

Jokic’s Gold Medal Aspirations Revealed

After the tournament, another NBA star, Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls, revealed what Jokic’s mindset had been going into EuroBasket. Vucevic, who represented Montenegro during the tournament, spoke candidly about a conversation he had with Jokic before the games began.

According to Vucevic, Jokic made it clear that Serbia was targeting the gold medal. The Denver Nuggets superstar believed in his team’s talent, their chemistry, and their ability to outplay anyone in Europe.

“We talked a little. He was aware, and he knows; he came because he wanted to take that gold, and I think they all had a great desire, and they knew they had the team and the ability to achieve it,” Vucevic explained in an interview with B92.

The Bulls center emphasized that Jokic and the Serbian squad gave everything they had, but sometimes, basketball doesn’t deliver the result a team desires. “He believed in it. He played, I mean, he gave his all, like all of them, but it wasn’t for them.”

For Serbia, the weight of expectation was massive, and the early exit only magnified the disappointment.

The Pain of Pressure and Missed Opportunity

Vucevic went on to describe just how difficult it is for the players themselves to handle such a setback. Fans and media may feel the sting of a shocking defeat, but for the athletes who dedicate their summers and sacrifice rest to represent their countries, the disappointment is even more personal.

“And in the end, it’s the hardest for them, no matter how much as a fan or people, anyone watching from the sidelines. It’s the hardest for them; they have to deal with that and all that pressure, and that will stay,” Vucevic added.

His words reflect the immense responsibility national team stars carry. For Jokic, who has already achieved nearly everything at the NBA level, winning gold with Serbia remains one of the few unfulfilled goals in his illustrious career. That dream, however, will have to wait for another opportunity.

Why Serbia Was Expected to Win

Serbia’s loss was even more shocking when considering the absence of several key international superstars from EuroBasket 2025. Victor Wembanyama of France and Domantas Sabonis of Lithuania both sat out the tournament, creating a clearer path for Serbia to reach the final stages. With Jokic anchoring the squad, many viewed Serbia as the outright favorites alongside Germany.

The group stage performances only reinforced that belief. Serbia played with confidence and fluidity, blending Jokic’s inside dominance with the sharp perimeter play of their guards. But the knockout format leaves no margin for error, and Finland—driven by Markkanen’s spectacular performance—found the perfect formula to dismantle Serbia’s rhythm.

Finland’s Rise and Germany’s Triumph

For Finland, the victory was historic. Markkanen proved once again why he is considered one of the most versatile forwards in international basketball. His ability to stretch the floor, attack the basket, and defend multiple positions gave Finland the edge they needed to shock the tournament favorites.

Ultimately, it was Dennis Schroder and Germany who went on to win the gold medal, continuing their impressive run of success in recent international competitions. While Germany celebrated another high point, Serbia was left to reflect on what could have been.

Vucevic’s Perspective on the Aftermath

Following Montenegro’s elimination in the group stage, Nikola Vucevic announced his retirement from international basketball, signaling the end of his journey with the national team. In discussing Serbia’s disappointment, he offered insight into how players cope with such heartbreak.

“They will surely remember for the rest of their careers, for the rest of their lives, how they had the opportunity, it happened to them,” Vucevic said. “Okay, that’s all part of an athlete’s career, and sometimes you open up, sometimes you don’t.”

For Jokic and Serbia, the memory of EuroBasket 2025 will linger, not as a celebration of triumph, but as a reminder of how quickly opportunities can vanish on the international stage.

What’s Next for Nikola Jokic and Serbia

With EuroBasket behind him, Jokic will now turn his focus back to the Denver Nuggets and the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. Entering his age-31 season, Jokic remains at the peak of his powers and will once again be tasked with leading Denver in their pursuit of another NBA championship.

As for the Serbian national team, the next major opportunity for redemption will likely come at the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the subsequent Olympic Games. The Serbian Basketball Federation will undoubtedly reevaluate their approach, possibly restructuring the roster and preparing younger talents to step into larger roles.

The big question will be whether Jokic decides to continue representing Serbia in international competitions. While his passion for his country has never been in doubt, the demands of balancing NBA dominance with summer tournaments are grueling. Still, Vucevic’s comments suggest that Jokic’s desire for gold with Serbia remains strong.

Legacy at Stake

For Jokic, his legacy is already secured in the NBA. With multiple MVPs, an NBA title, and historic individual performances, he has established himself as one of the greatest players of his generation. But for many European stars, international success carries a special weight.

Legends like Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tony Parker are remembered not only for their NBA careers but also for their accomplishments with their national teams. For Jokic, adding a EuroBasket or Olympic gold medal would elevate his standing even further in the global basketball conversation.

Conclusion

The 2025 EuroBasket was supposed to be Serbia’s moment, a chance for Nikola Jokic to lead his nation to the gold medal that has eluded them in recent years. Instead, their journey ended in heartbreak at the hands of Finland and Lauri Markkanen, leaving fans stunned and players devastated.

While Jokic now turns his focus back to the NBA, the sting of this loss will remain. As Nikola Vucevic revealed, Jokic truly believed Serbia had what it took to win it all. The disappointment is profound, but in basketball—as in life—setbacks often pave the way for future triumphs.

For Serbia, the road to redemption is still open. And with Jokic at the heart of the team, the dream of winning international gold remains very much alive.