Day 6: Inspired Greece thrash Spain to set up Final with Israel

CRETE (FIBA U20 European Championship 2017) - In front of their beloved fans, an inspired Greece dominated reigning champions Spain in a 77-56 Semi-Final victory. Greece will play Israel in the Final, while Spain meet France for third place.

An energetic Greece played tough defense and were too physical for Spain, who could never get their high-octane game going. Vasileios Charalampopoulos continued his fine tournament with 19 points and 5 rebounds, while Marc Marti scored 12 points for Spain.

In the earlier Semi-Final, a near-perfect Israel thumped a disappointing France 74-52 to reach their first U20 Final since 2004. With a mixture of perfect passing and hardnosed defense, Israel's efficiency overwhelmed France, who were rattled and played recklessly. Point guard Tamir Blatt was the floor general for Israel with 14 assists, while Daniel Koperberg top-scored with 27 points on 13-of-16 shooting. Gauthier Denis tried hard for France with 13 points and 5 steals.

Slovenia's quest to stay in Division A is alive after easily beating Latvia 78-50 in Classification 13-16 action. It means Latvia will be relegated to Division B. Slovenia were in control from the get go and led by Zan Sisko's 19 points, while Marcis Saulitis tried hard for Latvia with 14 points.

Slovenia will face Italy on Day 7 in a battle to avoid regulation after Italy defeated the Czech Republic 55-53 in a thriller. Italy held off a fast finishing Czech Republic and two free throws by Marco Timperi put his team in the lead with 1 second left and they survived a missed Czech Republic three-pointer just before the buzzer. The Czech Republic joins Latvia as teams to be relegated to Division B.

Turkey were in command from the start of their Classification 9-12 game against Montenegro and cruised to a 80-72 victory with Omer Yurtseven leading the way with 16 points and 9 rebounds.

Serbia proved far too strong for Iceland winning 89-71 in Classification 5-8 action. The Serbian side were hot from beyond the arc and led by Milos Glisic, who had 23 points shooting 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Trygvvi Hlinason was a warrior for Iceland with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 steals. 

Lithuania held off a fast finishing Germany to win Classification 5-8 action. Lithuania led in double digits for most of the contest but a dogged Germany fought gamely through to the end.

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