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Turkey remain undefeated

Turkey remain undefeated

08/31/2010 10:41:17 PM

Host nation Turkey beat Greece 76-65 to remain undefeated at the FIBA basketball world championships at Ankara on Tuesday.

Turk Ersan Ilyasova scored a game-high 26 points in the in Group C contest - including 12 in the first quarter alone - and hit six three-pointers in the match from as many attempts.

Turkey coach Bogdan Tanjevic said he was rapt with the performance, which may help the two countries in their relationship off the court.

"It was a team effort. I want to thank my players like Omer Asik who didn't play selfishly, helping his team-mates. Also I want to congratulate Ender (Arslan). Also another point is that the foreign ministers of both countries visited both locker rooms. Sometimes basketball is not just basketball. It can be a doorway to good things," he said.

Lithuania came from 15 points down to upset reigning world champions Spain 76-73 in their Group D clash, led by the in-form Linas Kleiza.

He scored 17 points and was ably supported by Jonas Maciulus with 13.

Spain coach Sergio Scariolo said it was not time for the champions to panic.

"You are only in crisis when you are out of the championship," he said.

"We want to fight for the medals. We have lost two games but the championship is long. Tomorrow is another day and we are going to focus on the next game and then the day after tomorrow and so on."

France sit atop the Group D table after defeating Canada 68-63, courtesy of Nicolas Batum's 24 points.

Canada blew a three-quarter-time lead for the third time at the championships and remain winless at the tournament.

Puerto Rico accounted for China 84-76 on the back of Angel Vassallo's 22 points in their Group C match.

Russia racked up their second win of the championships in Group C with a 72-66 win against Ivory Coast, but almost blew a 13-point lead with less than two minutes to go.

The Elephants reduced the deficit to two points, but Russia shot clear again to make sure of the victory.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images


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