Day 5: Greece make Semi-Finals after dramatic comeback win
CRETE (FIBA U20 European Championship 2017) – Greece came back from a 15-point deficit to overrun Lithuania and book a Semi-Final date with Spain.
CRETE (FIBA U20 European Championship 2017) - In the best game of the Quarter-Finals, hosts Greece came back from 15 points down late in the third quarter to defeat Lithuania 76-72. A huge rebound and three by Antonios Koniaris with 24 seconds left gave Greece the lead and they hung on from there.
Koniaris with THE play of the game!!! #FIBAU20Europe @HellenicBF 🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/q2p5oUdr3y
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 20, 2017
France produced a scintillating display to overwhelm Serbia in an anti-climax encounter. In what shaped as the showpiece game of the Quarter-Finals, a hot shooting France blew away Serbia 86-67 to advance to a Semi-Final clash with Israel. It was an arm-wrestle until late in the third when France got hot from beyond the arc, particularly Elie-Franck Okobo who hit six of them and scored 22 points.
Spain qualified for their 11th straight FIBA U20 European Championship Semi-Final after beating a gallant Germany 69-61. Germany fought hard until the end but were outclassed by Spain who were led by Santiago Yusta's 14 points and 8 rebounds.
At the start of Day 5, an impressive Israel ended Iceland's fairytale ride with a comprehensive 74-54 victory. Israel was led by star point guard Tamir Blatt, who submitted another fine all-round game with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
Yaaaa estamos en Semis!! El sabado a por la Final! Vamoooos🏀🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/XDTMzZ90Y5
— Marc Martí Roig (@MarcMarti17) July 20, 2017
In the Classification 9-16 games, Turkey defeated Latvia with Omer Yurtseven top-scoring with 24 points, while Ukraine overcame a gallant Czech Republic in a 75-68 victory with Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk having a fine all-round game with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
After trailing by 6 points at half-time, Sweden dominated after the long break to beat Italy 76-66. Sweden was sparked by their bench with Nils Johansson scoring 17 points, while Davide Moretti had a game-high 23 points for Italy.
Montenegro won an overtime thriller over Slovenia 83-78 to end Day 5. Scores were locked at 69 at the end of regulation but Montenegro proved too strong in the extra period.
The Semi-Finals on Day 6:
Israel v France
Greece v Spain
You can follow how the day's play unfolded on Live Updates.
Check out full replays on YouTube.com/FIBA
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