ITA - Italy continue resurgence with big win

BARI (EuroBasket) - If only they could have played like this from the start.

Italy's EuroBasket qualifying hopes still appear to rest on the additional qualifying round, but they are refusing to go quietly from Group A as they slammed Latvia 109-93 on Friday.

Three defeats in their opening five games virtually assured an automatic place would be out of reach, but Italy have now at least found the sort of form that would earn them a ticket to Lithuania.

Andrea Bargnani exploded for 30 points and 13 rebounds while Marco Belinelli added 19 points, and Jacopo Giachetti.

The win lifts Italy into second place in Group A as they have played a game more than Israel.

However, they are still two wins adrift of Montenegro who thrashed the overmatched Finland 91-71 behind 24 points from Nikola Pekovic and 21 points and 12 rebounds from Vladimir Dragicevic.

Finland have been ravaged by injuries throughout the campaign, but in a sign of things to come over the next few years, teenage star Sasu Salin led them in scoring with 15 points.

Portugal upset Poland 85-84 after overtime in a thrilling game in Coimbra.

The hosts came into the game on the back of five straight defeats but emerged from a tense finish to put a halt to Poland's growing momentum.

Portugal had led for much of the game, but looked to have blown it when they allowed Poland to come back in the third quarter and pull ahead.

But they dug deep and a 53-49 Poland lead became a 66-59 Portugal advantage, but the hosts then blew a 72-65 margin with 40 seconds left as Poland rallied to force the extra period.

Portugal twice pulled clear but Poland responded, with Thomas Kelati tying the game from the free-throw line, 84-84, with 15 seconds left.

However, they could not get a foul in quickly and there was only one second left on the clock when David Gomes went to the line to make one of his two free thows and leave Poland no time to respond.

Poland's loss allowed Belgium to move clear at the top of Group C with an 86-63 rout of Georgia.

Marcus Faison scored 16 points to lead four players in double figures as Belgium improved to 4-1.

Axel Hervelle and Christophe Beghin had 15 points each, while Sam van Rossom added 13 in a dominating Belgian performance.

Zaza Pachulia and Taurean Green had 11 points each to lead Georgia.

Hungary survived a late rally to top FYR Macedonia 85-82 and deal a big blow to their hopes of finishing top of Group B.

Hungary had enjoyed a double-digit lead early in the fourth quarter, with a pair of free throws from Adam Hanga putting them on top 65-54.

But Macedonia would keep plugging away and when Bo McCalebb drew a foul on lay-up to complete a three-point play, the score was 81-80 in the dying seconds.

McCalebb fouled Adam Hanga with 10 seconds to go, and he hit both free throws to make it 83-80.

Darko Sokolov converted a pair at the other end to leave it balanced at 83-82 but after Pero Antic committed a quick foul on Marton Fodor he hit both to stretch the lead to 85-82.

Macedonia drew up one final play, but Antic missed his three-point attempt as Hungary escaped with the win.

Hanga led Hungary with 21 points, while Akos Horvath and Peter Lorant each had 19 points, with Lorant adding 12 rebounds.

Antic had 20 points and 13 rebounds for Macedonia, who must now beat Great Britain on Monday and hope Chris Finch's team suffer at least one more defeat if they are to top the group.

Elsewhere in Group B, Maksym Pustozvonov scored 17 points to lead Ukraine to an 87-69 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The hosts built a big early lead and never surrendered it in a dominating performance.

FIBA