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France, Serbia favorites to secure Olympic spots
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DEFENDING champion France and menacing Serbia have emerged as favorites to reach the men’s European basketball championship final and secure automatic berths for next year’s Olympic Games when the tournament enters the knockout rounds today.
The two teams, along with Greece, finished the group stage, played in four different countries for the first time, with 5-0 records and the competition now moves to the French city of Lille for the remainder of the course.
Especially impressive were the Serbians, who brushed aside all their rivals in Berlin including heavyweights Spain and Italy, to set up a last-16 meeting with Finland tomorrow.
The French enjoyed home court advantage in Montpellier and strolled through their section but now face a tricky tie against Turkey today. Boasting several NBA names in its roster, France will rely on the inspirational San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, who became the European championship’s all-time leading scorer during the group stage.
The 33-year old livewire, who has won four NBA titles with the Spurs, surpassed former Greece stalwart Nicos Galis as France edged Poland 69-66.
The Greeks clinched the group in Zagreb on the back of a thrilling 72-70 win over hosts Croatia and booked a meeting with Belgium today.
In Latvia’s capital Riga, Lithuania finished top with a 4-1 record to earn a clash with Georgia.
Former winner Spain, crowned in 2009 and 2011 before taking the bronze medal in 2013, face an uphill battle to continue its podium streak. Missing three NBA-based players and long-serving Barcelona guard Juan Carlos Navarro, the Spaniards were soundly beaten by Serbia and Italy before scraping through with a last-gasp 77-76 win over Germany.
Spain faces an unpredictable Poland with Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol carrying the bulk of their hopes.
In other last-16 encounters, Croatia faces the Czech Republic, Italy plays Israel and Slovenia meets Latvia.
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