Serbian basketball coach Bogdan Karaičić guided Bulgarian club Balkan Botevgrad to its first EuroCup victory of the season, defeating Bosna Sarajevo 78–69 on November 4. The result ended Balkan’s five-game losing streak in the competition and delivered a disappointing home defeat for the Bosnian side.
The Group D encounter took place at Sarajevo’s Zetra Arena, where the visitors recovered from an early deficit to take control of the game.
Javante McCoy led Balkan with 27 points, while Aleksandar Stoimenov added 22. Together, they accounted for 49 of their team’s 78 points.
Balkan Overcomes Early Deficit in Sarajevo
Bosna started strongly and finished the opening quarter with a 24–18 lead.
However, Balkan responded in the second period, outscoring the hosts 23–15 to take a narrow 41–39 advantage into halftime.
The Bulgarian team maintained its momentum after the break and extended its lead to 61–55 heading into the final quarter.
Despite losing Stoimenov to five personal fouls, Balkan held firm and completed a nine-point victory.
McCoy finished with 27 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Stoimenov contributed 22 points.
Gael Bonilla recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
For Bosna, Reggie Perry scored 21 points, Nikola Popović added 13 and Edin Atić finished with 11.
The defeat left the Sarajevo club with two wins and four losses in Group D, while Balkan improved to 1–5.
Serbian Coach Praises Sarajevo After Victory
Following the game, Serbian coach Bogdan Karaičić expressed appreciation for the welcome his team received in Sarajevo.
Speaking at the postgame press conference, he praised Bosna and its coach, Dario Gjergja, and reflected on returning to the city after several years.
Karaičić explained that his team had adopted a slower, more physical style because of its limited player rotation.
The approach helped Balkan control possession and secure its first victory in the competition.
Bosna will look to recover when it travels to Spain to face Manresa on November 10.
Balkan, meanwhile, is scheduled to host Greek club PAOK on the same date.
The result provides a confidence boost for Karaičić’s team as it attempts to improve its position in the EuroCup standings.
For Bosna, the defeat is a setback in a demanding European campaign, with several important fixtures still ahead.
