EuroBasket - France looking for first European title, Lithuania want number four

LJUBLJANA (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Bragging rights over Europe for the next two years are at stake on Sunday when France face  Lithuania for the EuroBasket 2013 title.

The 2011 finalists France are going after their first European title. Should they win, Les Bleus would be the first first-time champions since Germany in 1993, when not taking into account Russia's 2007 title in post-Soviet Union days.

Vincent Collet’s French team was considered one of the favourites for the crown coming to Slovenia but had an up and down tournament, including a 76-62 loss to Lithuania in the Second Round.

"We didn't come here to lose in the Final, so we have stay focused on the big game and be ready to win," said French center Alexis Ajinca, who has been one of the leaders for the team in his first international senior level competition.

Boris Diaw meanwhile is happy that France are having the run they are.

"Greece was dominating for a few years. Spain was dominating. I hoped we'd get there one day,” said the San Antonio Spurs forward.

"That's what we've been working on our whole careers, trying to improve, trying to play better basketball. Not just being athletes running around but understanding the game better and maybe one day being that nation staying on top."

Lithuania for their part go for EuroBasket title number four, 10 years after winning their last crown in Sweden. Their two other European titles came in 1937 and 1939.

After nearly being eliminated with a loss on the final day of first round action, the Lithuanians have reeled off five straight wins.

"It's all crazy," said Martynas Pocius. "I don't think we as a team, especially the young guys who are here for the first time, realize yet that we're making history.

"We're still in the tournament. We're still in that game mode. It's just another game for us. We will digest it all over time, in a week or so when we look back and see we accomplished something.

"It's great where we are. But I don't think it's sunk in yet."

Many Spanish fans meanwhile had trouble realising that their beloved Espana’s reign is over after the 2009 and 2011 titles. But they still have a chance to collect a medal for the seventh time in the last eight European championships.

"We are disappointed that we are not playing in the Final but we have a big game and we want to be on the podium,” said center Marc Gasol.

"We played (against Croatia) in the first game. But they grew so much since that game. They played a lot better. It's a team that we already know. But it's going to be a game that matters a lot to both teams."

Croatia are just one victory from returning to the podium for the first time since taking bronze in 1995. They also won bronze in 1993.

For full and in-depth coverage of EuroBasket 2013, go to the official website http://www.eurobasket2013.org.

FIBA