Results and Stats from Day 1 in Tampere

Greece - France 66-69
France narrowly edged Greece in Group B opener. Greece jumped to a 20-16 lead after ten minutes. But France responded with a 42-30 run in the next two quarters to surge ahead. Greece limited their opponents to just 11 points in the final term but could not avoid the loss. Joan Beringer (207-PF-2006) scored 14 points, while Leon Sifferlin (196-G-2008) added 10 points for France. Eleftherios-Kosmas Liotopoulos (190-G-2006) answered with 16 points for Greece.

Slovenia - Spain 83-79
Slovenia got to a winning start of their European championship campaign. They held off Spain behind 22 points from Zak Smrekar (201-F/G-2006). Spain notched 25 points in the second period to secure a 44-43 halftime lead. But Slovenia responded with a 21-16 run in the fourth quarter to snatch the win. Urban Kroflic (197-F-2006) had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists for Slovenia. Mario Saint-Supery (194-G/F-2006) tallied 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for Spain.

Italy - Serbia 72-78
Serbia defeated Italy to tip off Group C campaign. Italy led by three points at the interval 36-33. But Serbia turned things around in the second half. They poured in 45 points and raced to the victory. Aleksa Dimitrijevic (213-C/F-2006) nailed 15 points, while Andrej Kostic (198-G-2006) added 14 points for Serbia. Dame Sarr (198-F/G-2006) answered with 18 points for Italy.

Belgium - Croatia 87-71
Jayden Hodge (193-SG-2007) fired 20 points as Belgium outgunned Croatia in their first game in Tampere. Belgium dominated from start to finish. They established a 46-30 halftime lead. They maintained the advantage throughout the second half to ease to the win. Corentin Efono (191-F-2006) tossed in 18 points for Belgium. Ivan Juric (209-C-2006) produced 19 points and 9 rebounds for Croatia.

Latvia - Israel 86-90
Israel outlasted Latvia for 1-0 record in Group C. Latvia posted a 43-39 halftime advantage. Israel erased the deficit in the third term as the teams entered the final stanza tied. But Israel unloaded 26 points in the fourth frame to snatch the victory. Ben Saraf (197-PG-2006) was unstoppable with 31 points and 8 assists for Israel. Martins Kilups (193-PG-2006) scored 19 points for Latvia.

Finland - Lithuania 81-80
Elmeri Abbey (178-G-2006) converted a go-ahead layup with 7 seconds to go in regulation to propel hosting Finland to the opening win at the championship as they downed Lithuania. He finished with 23 points for Finland. Samu Adler (196-G-2007) scored 21 points for the winners. Kasparas Jakucionis (196-G/F-2006) answered with 18 points for Lithuania.

Denmark - Sweden 91-108
Sweden outscored Denmark to open their campaign. Sweden exploded with 56 points in the first half to take a 12-point halftime lead. Sweden sank 30 points in the third term to clear off for good. Julius Price (189-G-2006) notched 30 points, while Samuel Obenjo (197-C-2006) contributed 20 points for Sweden. Denmark responded with 16 points from Marcus Moller (216-F-2006, agency: Blacktop Management).

Germany - Turkey 81-73
Germany held off Turkey to ensure the first win in Finland. Germany piled up a 45-39 halftime lead. They held Turkey to just 10 points in the third frame to boost the margin to 13 points and raced to the win in the fourth period. Jack Kayil (191-PG-2006) stepped up with 17 points, while Hannes Steinbach (206-PF-2006) provided 16 points for Germany. Kaan Onat (195-PG-2007) replied with 21 points for Turkey.