By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Tournament hosts Greece completed a stunning comeback from a 15-point deficit to down Lithuania and advance to the semifinals. Vassilis Charalambopoulos led his team with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists but Antonis Koniaris (17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) was the hero of the last minute with the game-winner for the from beyond the arc plus some impressive hustle plays and offensive rebounding.
The match between France and Serbia was expected to be a derby but “Les Bleus” dominated behind Amine Noua’s double-double (19 points/11 rebounds) and great defense. Stefan Peno had 16 for Serbia.
With Santiago Yusta scoring 14 ponits and grabbing 8 rebounds, Spain didn’t face any problems vs Germany while Israel advanced to the semifinals of the tournament for the first time since 2005 thanks to a new all-around input by Tamir Blatt (15 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists).
QUARTERFINALS RESULTS:
Iceland – Israel 54 – 74
Germany – Spain 61 – 69
France – Serbia 86 – 67
Greece – Lithuania 76 – 72
SEMIFINALS:
Greece – Spain
Israel – France
QUALIFICATION 9 – 16
Sweden – Italy 76 – 66
Turkey – Latvia 75 – 57
Czech Republic – Ukraine 68 – 75
Montenegro – Slovenia – 83 – 78
(Photo by Fiba.Europe)