NBA superstar Nikola Jokic led his country past Australia in a thriller in the Olympic quarterfinals. Serbia trailed by as much as 24 points before mounting a comeback and finishing the job in overtime.
Now, Jokic and Serbia will take on Team USA for the third time this summer and the second time in this tournament with a trip to the gold medal match on the line.
The United States defeated Serbia by 26 points in its pre-Olympic tune-up game, and again to kick off the Group Stage in Paris.
As you watch Jokic and Serbia try and pull off an upset over Team USA, you may notice a different spelling of the country's name on their uniform. Here's why.
USA-SERBIA PREDICTION: Can Nikola Jokic pull off an upset?
Why is SRBIJA on Serbia's jersey?
"SRBIJA" is simply a Serbian transliteration of the country's name. Serbia can also be referred to as the "Republic of Serbia."
Its uniforms have "SRBIJA" lettered prominently across the chest with its jersey sponsor, Peak, on the right chest and the country's crest with the Olympic Rings on the left chest.
POV you played amazing defense on him, yet he just knocks it down in your face 🥶#Paris2024 x #Basketball pic.twitter.com/vqEf6kfHvQ
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 6, 2024
Serbia is a Southeastern European country. It is bordered by Hungary (North), Romania and Bulgaria (East), North Macedonia and Kosovo (South), and Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro (West).
Jokic is one of six Serbian players currently in the NBA, a list that includes Miami's Nikola Jovic and Atlanta's Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Serbia basketball Olympic schedule
Serbia went 2-1 in Group C, losing to the United States but bouncing back with wins over Puerto Rico and South Sudan to qualify for the Knockout Round.
Serbia overcame a 24-point deficit to defeat Australia in overtime in the quarterfinals, teeing up a rematch against Team USA in the semifinals.
| Date | Stage | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| July 28 | Group C | USA 110, Serbia 84 | — |
| July 31 | Group C | Serbia 107, Puerto Rico 66 | — |
| Aug. 3 | Group C | Serbia 96, South Sudan 85 | — |
| Aug. 6 | Quarterfinals | Serbia 95, Australia 90 (OT) | — |
| Aug. 8 | Semifinals | Serbia vs. USA | 3 p.m. |
MORE: Inside Serbia's basketball team: Roster, coaches and more
History of Serbia basketball teams in the Olympics
Serbia was considered part of Yugoslavia through the 1988 Summer Olympics.
The country did not make its Olympic men's basketball debut under its own name until the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where it finished silver to the United States. Including the 2024 Paris Games, Serbia men's basketball has only appeared in four Olympics since then.
Its only other podium placement was at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where it finished silver to the United States again.
| YEAR | Location | RECORD | PLACE |
| 1936-1988 | — | Part of Yugoslavia | — |
| 1992 | Barcelona | Suspended | — |
| 1996 | Atlanta | 7-1 | Silver |
| 2000 | Sydney | 4-3 | 6th |
| 2004 | Athens | 2-4 | 11th |
| 2008 | Beijing | Did not qualify | — |
| 2012 | London | Did not qualify | — |
| 2016 | Rio | 4-4 | Silver |
| 2020 | Tokyo | Did not qualify | — |
| 2024 | Paris | 3-1 | TBD |
