KAUNAS (2015 U16 European Championship) - Marko Pecarski got hot from long range to spark a dramatic turnaround at the U16 European Championship in Kaunas, Lithuania on Saturday.

The Serbian center connected on a hat-trick of three-pointers in less than one minute in the fourth quarter to help lift his team to a 79-77 come-from-behind win against Italy in Group C.

He went on to finish with a game-high 25 points and 14 rebounds as Serbia recorded their first win of the competition.

The Italians celebrated at the final buzzer as they felt their performances had done enough to see them through in what they expected to be a three-way tie.

But Finland's surprise 82-78 defeat of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the following game eliminated the Italians, secured Serbia's passage to the Second Round and saw the Finns snatch top spot.

Finland started the final stanza on an 8-0 tear to seize the initiative and lead from the front during the closing stages, Ricky Waxlax leading their charge with 20 points.

In Group D, Montenegro won a thrilling Balkan battle with Croatia, 60-59, to ensure they will carry a win into the next round.

The contest swung one way then another in the closing stages before Montenegro opened a three-point gap and Marin Mihalic wasted the opportunity to force overtime from the free-throw line with two seconds remaining.

France locked up top spot in the group as they ground out a 47-35 win against Latvia to remain unbeaten.

Turkey cruised to a 74-45 triumph against a misfiring Germany to ensure they finished on top of the three-team Group A.

And the hosts, Lithuania, extended their perfect start to three games as Ignas Sargiunas enjoyed a flawless shooting night to score 17 points and help his team prevail 96-70 against Israel.

Spain finished just behind them in second after Sergi Martinez tallied 23 points, 11 rebounds and six steals to help down Greece 72-58, despite a slow start.

Go to http://u16men.fibaeurope.com/en/default.asp for full coverage of the 2015 U16 European Championship.

FIBA