FOTO/VIDEO Dragons roar in EuroBasket opener: Bosnia crushes Cyprus 91:64

Bosnia entered the arena like a whirlwind, opening the clash with a ruthless 10:0 run. The Cypriot hosts, however, refused to roll over and clawed back to within three points (16:13). Just as the momentum threatened to shift, Kenan Kamenjas ignited the stands with a rim-shaking dunk that reset the tone. By the end of the first quarter, the scoreboard read a commanding 23:13 for the Dragons.

With Jusuf Nurkic stepping onto the floor in the second quarter, the Cypriots’ hopes dimmed further. The Portland Trail Blazers center nailed two three-pointers, sparking another surge. At halftime, Bosnia and Herzegovina had carved out a comfortable 47:26 cushion.

Third-Quarter Stumble

The game, however, wasn’t without drama. The Dragons hit a dry spell in the third quarter, going scoreless for three agonizing minutes. Cyprus seized the moment, slicing the deficit to 58:49 and sending a wave of unease through BiH’s camp. For a brief moment, the victory hung in the balance.

Nurkic and Roberson Seal the Deal

But when it mattered most, BiH’s big guns delivered. Nurkić once again imposed himself inside, before John Roberson—ice cold until then with a painful 0/7—caught fire. In a sequence worthy of a highlight reel, Roberson buried two triples and a mid-range dagger, restoring a double-digit gap and breaking Cyprus’s resistance. From that point, the Dragons never looked back.

Stat Leaders

Jusuf Nurkic led the charge with 18 points, six rebounds, two steals, and a block, shooting 6/11 from the field and 2/4 from beyond the arc. Amar Alibegovic, Adin Vrabac, and Amar Gegic all chipped in with 10 points apiece, while Gegic added six assists to his tally.

Next Stop – Spain

The Dragons now turn their eyes to a heavyweight clash against Spain, scheduled for Saturday at 20:15. La Furia Roja enters wounded after a shock defeat to Georgia (83:69), which only sharpens the stakes. Bosnia and Herzegovina will march into the duel like warriors sensing opportunity—knowing that one more victory could set the stage for a historic knockout push.