LJUBLJANA (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Sweden boosted their chances of claiming a spot in the next round at EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia on Saturday with an 81-62 triumph over Russia.
With both sides looking for their first victories in Group D, the Swedes rolled to victory.
Jeffery Taylor and Jonas Jerebko excelled.
Down 35-34 two minutes into the second half, the NBA duo combined for 12 points as the Swedes went on a 16-3 run to take command.
Taylor finished with a game-high 25 points and Jerebko added 22 with 13 rebounds, while Erik Rush (4pts, 7rbs) and Viktor Gaddefors (9pts, 5rbs) made important contributions.
The
success was a great moment for Sweden, who are playing in the
EuroBasket for the first time in 10 years, when they competed as hosts.
The country didn't win a game back in 2003.
"We are learning as we go ahead in the competition," said Sweden coach Brad Dean.
"You cannot learn unless you play against the best. We made some adjustments and it worked. Rush and Viktor were excellent."
With three losses in as many games, Russia, the bronze-medal winners at EuroBasket 2011 and at last year's Olympics, are on the brink of elimination.
Their hopes of grabbing one of the six spots on offer for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup are fading fast.
"We didn't play as a team," said Russia coach Vassily Karasev.
"We didn't do a good job at all. We didn't really have a leader. We have to work very hard, both the coaches and the players."
In a battle of unbeatens that followed in Group D, Italy won against Finland, 62-44.
Gigi Datome was the lone Italian to finish in double digits in scoring with 10 points and he also corralled eight rebounds.
Andrea Cinciarini had a terrific outing as well, scoring nine points and pulling down eight boards as Simone Pianigiani's team improved to 3-0.
The
game was played in a wonderful atmosphere, with many of the fans clad
in blue after traveling across the Italian border to Koper.
"Congratulations
to the fans of both teams," Pianigiani said, "the show in the stands
was simply amazing. Players can feel this atmosphere."
Piangiani saluted the opponents.
"Finland pushed until the end," he said.
"I like their attitude."
Greece didn't put away Turkey early but eventually pulled away for an 84-61 win to stay unbeaten with the Italians at the top of Group D.
Yannis Bourousis had 21 points and Nikos Zisis 11 assists to go with his six points for the Greeks.
Turkey dropped to 0-3.
In Celje, where Group C is being staged, Slovenia stretched their streak of winning close games to three with a 72-68 victory over Georgia.
Domen Lorbek had three of the team's eight first-half three-pointers as the home side came back from 11 down to lead 44-32 at the break.
Georgia stayed within striking distance with Ricky Hickman (19pts) and and Viktor Sanikidze (17pts, 13rbs) making a series of wonderful plays.
The Georgians out-rebounded the hosts 45-35, but Slovenia held on for victory.
After a put-back by Besik Lezhava
cut the deficit to 72-70 with 31 seconds left, Bozidar Maljkovic's team
ran the shot clock down and the ball ended up in the hands of Zoran Dragic in the lane.
Dragic, who had made important shots in the second half in the win over Spain, scored with an eight-footer to make it a two possession game.
Georgia's last basket was not before the final buzzer.
The Slovenians moved to the top of Group C with the victory.
Spain put their defeat to Slovenia behind them and beat the Czech Republic, 60-39.
Rudy Fernandez had 14 points and four steals to lead the two-time defending champions of Europe.
"It was a difficult game and the final score was not a fair reflection," Spain coach Juan Antonio Orenga said.
"We were worried about their defense. We couldn't score easily inside so we had to look for other options."
Marc Gasol, guarded closely by Czech center Jan Vesely, scored just two points on one of four shooting from the floor.
The Czechs endured another tough night shooting the ball, making just 15 of 62 (24%) from the floor.
Pavel Pumprla and Vesely were the leading scorers with just seven points apiece.
"We couldn't score and make shots," Czech coach Pavel Budinsky said.
"We were nervous. I don't know why, but maybe we showed too much respect to Spain."
Poland suffered heartbreak for the second time in three days, falling to Croatia, 74-70.
Croatia exploded into a 20-point advantage but Poland dug in and led by Krzysztof Szubarga stormed back.
The Poles closed the gap to seven, only for Roko Leni Ukic to hit a jumper before half-time to take the lead to nine.
In the second half, Croatia again went back in front by 18, yet Poland came back again.
Two lay-ups by Szubarga, the second after he reached in and stole the ball from Ukic, cut the deficit to one.
Damir Markota then came up with the play of the game, following a miss by Ante Tomic with a put-back.
Poland next missed four attempts from the arc, the last from Lukasz Koszarek that rimmed out.
Bojan Bogdanovic had a game-high 23 points for Croatia while Michal Ignerski was sensational again for Poland with 22.
"I'm really proud of the team," Markota said.
"We were up 20 points but they came back to make it one point, but we made it and we deserved to win the game."
For full and in-depth coverage of EuroBasket 2013, go to the official website http://www.eurobasket2013.org.
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