Finland upset France and Georgia overcame Lithuania to highlight an entertaining first day’s play at Eurobasket 2017.
There were wins too for Slovenia and for Italy and Dennis Schröder starred for Germany as they eased past Ukraine.
Groups C and D begin play tomorrow.
GROUP A
Slovenia upstaged Poland 90-81 in a physical encounter to get the tournament rolling in the Finnish capital.
Goran Dragic began his swansong before national team retirement with a career international-high of 30 points to lead Slovenia.
Greece comfortably secured a 90-61 win against an overwhelmed Iceland side in game two of Group A.
Nikos Pappas led the way with 20 points as the Greeks shot 44 percent from three-point territory. They also held their Nordic opponents to 10 points in the first period as Greece pulled away early.
Co-hosts Finland rocked the Hartwall Arena to its foundation with a stunning 86-84 come-from-behind win over France.
After taking the game to overtime earlier, Jamar Wilson went and sealed a famous victory with an off-balanced lay-up with mere seconds left.
Lauri Markkanen led Finland with 22 points and seven rebounds in what could his breakout tournament en route to the Chicago Bulls following Eurobasket.
GROUP B
Germany were on cruise control as they saw-off Ukraine 75-63 in Tel Aviv.
Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schröder unofficially outscored fellow NBAer Goran Dragic by pouring in 32 points, plus adding seven rebounds and five assists in their opening Group B success.
Georgia gained a measure of revenge for their second round loss to Lithuania two years ago by edging them 79-77 in an fiercely competitive second game.
Toko Shengelia took the plaudits with 29 points for the Georgians as Jonas Maciulis had the opportunity to snatch victory but his potential three-point winner missed its mark.
Marco Bellinelli had 18 points as Italy put hosts Israel to the sword 69-48 in the final game of the day in Tel Aviv.
Bellinelli hit five three’s alone in the first half as Italy quickly silenced the home support and enjoyed a double digit cushion for the majority.
