Home FIBA EuroBasket 2011 EuroBasket Review: Group E

EuroBasket Review: Group E

Day one in Vilnius has come to a close, as Lithuania, Serbia, Germany, Spain, Turkey and France were fighting for a spot in Kaunas, as the Olympic dream lives on.

Lithuania became the first team to reach 100 points at Eurobasket, with a 100-90 victory over Serbia.

Mantas Kalnietas led Lithuania with 19 points with an honourable mention to Toronto Raptors draft pick, Jonas Valanciunas hitting 18 points on 8/9 shooting.

Lithuania pulled away towards the end of the second quarter and were comfortable when Rimantas Kaukenas gave the hosts a double-digit lead at 54-44 and they never looked back.

Serbia tried pulling it back, but Lithuania were comfortable, and a pair of Valanciunas free-throws brought the Siemens Arena crowd to its feet as the hosts reached 100.

Germany need to win their remaining two games to avoid elimination following a 77-68 defeat to Eurobasket holders, Spain.

Despite the best efforts of Chris Kaman, who registered a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds and Dirk Nowitzki, who led the Germans with 19. The overall team play, and talented frontline saw Spain home.

Marc Gasol led all scorers with 24 points with his brother Pau hitting 19 points, all in the second half of play.

France nearly blew it against Turkey, as they had a double-digit advantage going into the fourth, but escaped with a 68-64 win.

Up 57-44 at the start of the final period, France saw their lead shrink to just 65-63 with five seconds with on the clock. Turkey’s Emir Preldzic though failed to inbound the ball and Tony Parker, who had a game-high 20 points iced the game at the line.

Hedo Turkoglu had 13 points for Turkey.

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