Recap of Day 3 in Nis

Shachar Doron

Israel - Sweden 86-72
Israel claimed the second win in Nis. They toppled Sweden to earn the second position in Group A. Israel went on a 34-14 run in the third period to clear off for good. Shachar Doron (193-G-2005, agency: Avi Zilberman) came up with 31 points to pace the winners. Viktor Lukic-Gavric (188-G-2005) answered with 16 points for Sweden.

Croatia - Poland 73-56
Croatia clinched the first win at the championship. They rallied past Poland to open win count in Serbia. Croatia accounted for a 31-27 halftime lead. They followed with a 23-13 run in the third term to boost the lead and raced to the win. Vigo Bart (170-PG-2005) produced 23 points, while Luka Francesevic (193-G-2005) added 16 points and 9 rebounds for Croatia. Joel Cwik (194-SF-2006) replied with 13 points for Poland.

Turkey - Germany 67-74
Germany posted the third consecutive win in Nis. They overcame Turkey to finished atop of Group B. Turkey led by six points after ten minutes. But Germany responded with a 26-13 run in the second stanza to secure a 40-33 halftime lead. Germany maintained the lead throughout the second half and eased to the victory. Christian Anderson (175-G-2006) came up with 17 points, while Ivan Kharchenkov (198-SG-2006) added 15 points for Germany. Mehmet Demirel (214-C-2005) answered with 14 points and 10 rebounds for Turkey.

Greece - Denmark 107-75
Greece crushed Denmark to improve at 2-1 record in Group D. The Hellenes unloaded 53 points in the first half to secure a 17-point halftime lead. They added 54 points in the second half and marched to the victory. Veniamin Abosi (197-G/F-2006, agency: Octagon Europe) and Neklis Avdalas delivered 16 points each for Greece. Anton Ostoft (192-G-2005) tossed in 24 points for Denmark.

France - Lithuania 92-69
France stayed perfect in Nis as they cruised past Lithuania for the third straight victory. France piled up a 44-29 halftime advantage. They unloaded 48 points in the second half to march to the win. Tidjane Salaun (205-F-2005) provided 16 points, while Amael L'Etang (214-PF-2005) added 14 points for France. Aleksas Bieliauskas (206-C-2005) chipped in 13 points for Lithuania.

Finland - Czech Republic 74-64
Finland overcame Czech Republic for the first victory in Group C. Czech Republic secured a 15-10 lead ten minutes into the game. But Finland used a 26-12 run in the fourth stanza to snatch the win. Elmeri Abbey (178-G-2006) orchestrated victory with 26 points for Finland. Milan Stranel (201-F-2005) banked in 17 points and 14 rebounds for Czech Republic.

Serbia - Slovenia 75-64
Serbia outlasted Slovenia to gain the third straight victory in Group C. Slovenia led by a single point after ten minutes of action. But Serbia used a 21-11 run in the second term to take a 9-point halftime advantage. Serbia extended the margin at 15-point mark heading into the fourth term and rallied to the victory. Bogoljub Markovic (204-F-2005) connected for 26 points, while Nikola Topic added 14 points for Serbia. Nejc Dizdarevic (192-G/F-2005) answered with 16 points for Slovenia.

Spain - Italy 78-72
Spain defeated Italy to remain perfect in Nis. Italy secured a 24-18 lead after the opening stanza. But Spain used a 39-24 rally in the next two quarters to spur ahead for good. Aday Mara (220-C-2005) tallied 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Hugo Gonzalez (198-G-2006) added 12 points for Spain. Dame Sarr (198-F/G-2006) accounted for 22 points for Italy.