Both groups have had their rest days – now we get an indication of who progresses to the second round of Eurobasket 2013.
Group A
Great Britain 81-74 Germany
Great Britain kept their chances of progressing to the second round alive with an 81-74 win over Germany.
Andrew Lawrence led the Brits with 23 points but his thunder was stolen by Myles Hesson, as he recorded a spectacular haul of 21 points and 11 rebounds as they shook off their unlucky third quarter woe to secure a vital win.
Germany now face an uphill battle to advance to round two, giving up 18 offensive boards to GB. Tibor Pless led Germany with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Ukraine 71-77 France
Tony Parker moved up the gears in order to hand the Ukraine its first Eurobasket loss 77-71.
With the game tied at 51-51, Parker, who led all scorers with 28 and the French had enough wit about them to secure the victory and more importantly secure top spot in the group.
Both teams are through to round two, but France have the advantage as they need one win to secure top spot.
Eugene Jeter had 20 points for the Ukraine.
Israel 87-69 Belgium
Israel secured their first win of Eurobasket 2013 and kept Group A the tightest group of the lot following a 87-69 rout of Belgium.
Leading 41-33 at the half, Israel continued with their relentless assault of the Lions, reeling off 32 points to lead 73-46 after three and never look back.
Afik Nissim had 23 points and five assists for the winners. Maxime De Zeeuw had 14 for Belgium. This result though has resulted in several possibilities and is no doubt the most interesting group of the four.
Group B
Bosnia & Herzegovina 62-54 FYR of Macedonia
Bosnia and Herzegovina responded to coach Aleksandar Petrovic’s ejection by beating FYR of Macedonia 62-54.
His ejection resulted in a passionate display from the Bosnians as their counterparts couldn’t find a response to.
Mirza Teletovic led the Bosnians with 22 points, cancelling out Bo McCalebb’s for the Macedonians.
Serbia 80-71 Latvia
Serbia pulled away in the fourth quarter to grab an 80-71 win over Latvia.
Nenad Krstic’s 25 points and five rebounds was enough for victory as they move to 3-1, while Latvia drop to 2-2.
Kristaps Janicenoks had 18 points for the Latvians.
Lithuania 77-70 Montenegro (AOT)
Lithuania bested Montenegro in a thrilling game settled by a period of overtime.
The win eliminates Montenegro from Eurobasket while Lithuania grabs a third straight victory.
Ksistof Lavrinovic led Lithuania with 24 points while Tyrese Rice had 19 for the Montenegrins who will look to their 14 turnovers as a factor in the defeat.
Group C
Poland 53-89 Spain
Spain showed no mercy on helpless Poland, comfortably beating them 89-53 and confirming the Poles exit from Eurobasket 2013.
NBA duo Ricky Rubio and Marc Gasol each scored 15 points as they put one foot into the second round, easing into a 25-5 lead after the first quarter and never looking back.
Przemyslaw Zamojski had 11 points to lead Poland.
Czech Republic 95-79 Georgia
The Czech Republic comprehensively beat Georgia 95-79 in the second game in Celje.
A dominant first quarter was followed by a half-time score of 54-35 which proved too much for the Georgians, who came back down to earth with a bang after running hosts Slovenia close the previous night.
Jan Vesely led the Czechs with a sublime double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds. Manuchar Markoishvili and George Tsintsadze both had 20 to lead the Georgians.
Slovenia 74-76 Croatia (AOT)
Croatia kept their heads to inflict a first loss to hosts Slovenia, beating them 76-74 after overtime.
I’m sure the Slovenians would appreciate their final game against eliminated Poland to be a stroll in the park after four closely fought encounters. This was one bridge too many in the end.
Bojan Bogdanovic brought Croatia back from 13 points down to steal this one as he led with 24 points. Goran Dragic had solid numbers of 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the hosts.
Group D
Finland 86-83 Russia (A2OT)
Finland are through to the second round after a thrilling 86-83 double overtime victory over Russia in Koper, eliminating the woeful Russians in the process.
Hanno Mottola was the hero for the Finns as his free throws with 3.5 seconds remaining forced overtime and a dagger triple in the second period of overtime secured the win as they improve to 3-1, enough to advance to the Stozice Arena and the second stage.
Shawn huff led Finland with 20 points. Aleksey Shved had a game-high 25 points for Russia.
Russia are now 0-4, are out and with much needed changes needed within the Federation.
Greece 72-81 Italy
Italy secured first place in Group D after defeating previously unbeaten Greece 81-72 to improve to 4-0.
Marco Bellinelli had 23 points for the Italians who breezed clear in the third quarter, allowing no way back for the Greeks.
Nikos Zisis had 16 points to lead Greece.
Sweden 74-87 Turkey
Turkey beat Sweden 87-74 in the final game of the penultimate day of group play. For the Turks though, it’s too little, too late.
Ender Arslan led Turkey with 22 points, supported by Ersan Ilyasova’s 21, but Turkey’s road will be cut short in Koper.
Jeffery Taylor led Sweden, who drop to 1-3 with 18.
