VALENCIA (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - ​You're a big fan of international basketball and just watched 18 days of a very compelling FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

What will be the lasting memories?

1 - In Helsinki, Goran Dragic erupts for 30 points and Slovenia whip Poland, 90-81. The 18-year-old phenom, Luka Doncic? He finishes with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The performance of the day, however, belongs to a EuroBasket rookie, 22-point Lauri Markkanen. He rescues the Susijengi in an 86-84 overtime triumph over France.

2 - Opening day in Istanbul. Three games, three captivating encounters. Wow, wow, wow! Sam Van Rossom, a leader in the Belgium team who needed an operation in May and wasn't confirmed in the team until shortly before the EuroBasket, comes off the bench and has 19 points and 5 assists as the Lions stun Great Britain, 103-90. Serbia and Latvia put on a pulsating encounter that has heads spinning. Kristaps Porzingis has 18 points and 4 blocks but Latvia fall, 92-82. A well-guarded Alexei Shved hits a long 3-pointer in the last minute as Russia edge hosts Turkey in the last game of the day.

3 - On Day 2, Russia show they're for real with a gritty 75-72 win over Serbia. Turkey also did deep and give their fans hope with an 84-70 triumph over the Brits. The Fenerbahce Arena is rocking!

4 - In Group A, Finland snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, edging Poland in double overtime, 90-87. Israel rise from the dead and outscore Germany in the fourth quarter, 25-11, in an 82-80 victory. Guy Pnini looks as if he is about to fall out out of bounds but gains his balance and hits a late 3-pointer.

5 - Italy blow a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter against Georgia but Daniel Hackett rescues the Azzurri with a go-ahead lay-up in the last minute of his team's 71-69 victory.

6 - A young Turkey win their second game, 78-65 over Belgium to seal a place in the Round of 16.

7 - In the best Round of 16 game, France open up a double-digit lead on Germany in the first half but fail to step on the accelerator and Chris Fleming's side comes back with Dennis Schroder pulling the strings and Daniel Theis putting Boris Diaw on a poster. Germany advance to the Quarter-Finals with an 84-81 triumph.

8 - In a Quarter-Final for the ages, one that is full of flair and overflowing with athleticism and emotion, Slovenia down Latvia, 103-97. 

9 - Russia, about to be derailed by Greece, get the ball to Shved and the high-scoring guard delivers once again with 26 points in a 74-69 victory.

10 - In the Final, with 11 passenger planes full of Slovenians having arrived just in time to watch their team take on Serbia, Dragic scores 20 second-quarter points. Slovenia, who also get a highlight reel coast-to-coast dunk from Doncic and another stunning shooting effort from Klemen Prepelic, win 93-85.

Jeff Taylor
FIBA

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