Dutch make their mark on Day 1 of EuroBasket 2015

BERLIN/MONTPELLIER/RIGA/ZAGREB (EuroBasket 2015) - The Netherlands marked their return to European basketball's top table after a 26-year absence with a 73-72 victory against Georgia on the opening day of EuroBasket 2015 on Saturday.

The Dutch relinquished a 12-point fourth-quarter lead in their Group C opener in Zagreb, Croatia before fighting back in the closing stages to secure an historic success.

"We gave up the big lead but stayed with it and got the lead back," said swingman Worthy De Jong, who went for 16 points and 6 rebounds in the victory. "That shows how much faith we have in each other.

"We were on the vibe, emotionally and physically.

"We had something going together. That was one of the most important things to this game."

Croatia also got off to a strong start in Group C, edging Slovenia 80-73 in front of their home fans.

The win, however, was slightly marred by an injury to Bojan Bogdanovic. 

Also in Group C, Greece outlasted The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MKD) 85-65.

Spain, who came in third at EuroBasket 2013, could not recover from a double-digit third-quarter deficit as they were beaten 80-70 by Serbia in Group B.

The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup runners-up held off a late rally, thanks in no small part to a sensational 24-point, 10-rebound performance from Nemanja Bjelica in Berlin, Germany.

The group hosts were pushed by Iceland but hung on for a 71-65 triumph behind 15 points and seven rebounds from Dirk Nowitzki. 

Turkey closed out the day's action in the Gerrman capital with an 89-87 nail-biter over Italy.

Tony Parker, the MVP of the competition two years ago, picked up right where he left off as Montpellier played host to Group A.

The talismanic point guard's 23 points lifted France to a 97-87 overtime victory against Finland, who were inspired by their own, debutant guard Jamar Wilson.

A 17-0 second-half run helped Israel see off Russia 76-73 in their first game after Poland endured more than eight scoreless minutes during the fourth quarter, but still clung on to overcome Bosnia and Herzegovina 68-64.

And in Group D, Lithuania were given a real scare by Ukraine, who refused to back down from the physical challenge before eventually falling 69-68 in Riga, Latvia.

Czech Republic's balanced offence was too much for Estonia, who were overpowered 80-57 in their first EuroBasket game since 2001.

Group hosts Latvia rode out a rocky third quarter before connecting on their first four three-pointers of the final period to rise above Belgium 78-67.

Go to eurobasket2015.org for complete coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA