The United States men’s basketball team was expected to make the 2016 Olympic gold medal game, but the same can’t be said for its opponent.
Team USA will face Serbia with the gold medal in men’s basketball on the line Sunday at 2:45 p.m. ET. Serbia made the final after upsetting Australia 87-61 on Friday in the second semifinal game. USA won the first semifinal 82-76 over Spain.
The U.S. has played in some close contests in Rio de Janeiro so far, but one of its toughest tests surprisingly came in pool play against Serbia. Team USA managed to escape with a 94-91 win, but Serbia certainly proved a lot along the way.
Still, Serbia lost three games in pool play, and it’s a bit of a shock that it has made it this far. But, at the very least, it will leave Rio with a silver medal, while USA looks to win its third gold in a row.
Thumbnail photo via Jeff Swinger/USA TODAY Sports Images
