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Greece, Croatia advance; Spain rallies over Israel to top group at European Championship
MADRID, Spain (AP) - Greece clinched a berth in the quarterfinals of the European Basketball Championship Tuesday with an 85-67 win over Portugal, while Croatia advanced despite an 83-70 loss to Russia.
Spain rallied from a 13-point first-half deficit to beat Israel 99-73 and put the Spaniards atop Group E.
"We reacted very well, raised our intensity and finally came back, but it wasn't easy," forward Jorge Garbajosa said.
Spain will face the winner of Wednesday's Italy-Germany game in the single-elimination round Thursday, while Russia, the runner-up in Group E, will play France.
Croatia will get the winner of the game between Lithuania and Slovenia, the tournament's two remaining unbeaten teams, on Friday, while defending champion Greece will play the loser.
Spain took control midway through the third quarter when Garbajosa converted his second straight 3-pointer to help turn a 57-56 deficit into a 64-57 lead. He finished 4-of-7 for 12 points.
Pau Gasol led the world champions with 26 points while Jose Calderon had 15, including a pair of 3-pointers.
"This was good news because it was important that we stayed relaxed on the court and we never panicked," Spain coach Pepu Hernandez said.
Andrei Kirilenko scored 20 points, as the Russians, who led by only four points after three quarters, stretched their lead to nine early in the fourth after a 3-pointer from Zakhar Pashutin and a layup by Kirilenko.
"We woke up and played a beautiful second half," Russia coach David Blatt said. "We probably have no chance (against France) but we'll go out there to win."
GREAT BRITAIN feat. DENG vs ALBANIA 01-09-2007: Compilation of clips from the game at Meadowbank.
Blatt said the key to stopping France was thwarting Tony Parker.
"Best to limit (Parker) some and not let him help his teammates," Blatt said. "When his teammates get going, there is no way you're going to beat the French team."
Dimosthenis Ntikoudis scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds as the Greeks dominated Portugal inside while hitting 10-of-18 3-point attempts.
"We are not afraid of anyone," Vassilis Spanoulis said. "Greece has proved in the past that (it) can come through in the most crucial games and to be great you have to win big games."
Greece guard Dimitris Diamantidis was 3-for-4 on 3-pointers and finished with 13 points, while Spanoulis added 10.
Joao Santos led Portugal with 17 points.
Portugal led 17-16 after the first quarter, but the Greeks capitalized on turnovers and moved ahead 45-34 by halftime.
"We've been a surprise and against Greece today we kept dreaming," Portugal forward Elvis Evora said. "We go home with our heads up, very proud of ourselves."
Israel started 13-of-18 from the floor and led 29-19 after Lior Eliyahu banked in a jumper in the final second of the first quarter.
Meir Tapiro opened the second with a 3-pointer to give Israel its biggest lead, 32-19.
But playing in front of a boisterous crowd, the world champions rallied.
An Alex Mumbru 3-pointer and a Gasol dunk helped cut Israel's lead to 48-47 by halftime.
Spain dominated in the fourth quarter, outscoring Israel 25-5.
Eliyahu was one of three Israeli players to finish with 15 points.
EUROBASKET 2007: RUSSIA vs CROATIA 11-09-2007
Russia's defense in the second half forced some erratic shooting and several turnovers by Croatia, which played without injured guard Marko Popovic.
Davor Kus scored 17 points to lead Croatia.
"We lost our concentration, made many mistakes and conceded too many fast-break points," Croatia coach Jasmin Repesa said. "These are strong teams and if you lose your concentration against them, they will punish you."
Kus hit a 3-pointer to give Croatia a 39-32 lead late in the half, but Russia rallied and Kirilenko's flying dunk with seconds to play cut the deficit to 42-41.
Russia jumped ahead 50-47 in the third, but Mario Kasun put Croatia back in front 54-53 before the Russians took control for good.
On Wednesday, France plays last-place Turkey.
PAUL LOGOTHETIS
Associated Press Writer
