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Serbia into quarters after thriller

Serbia into quarters after thriller

09/04/2010 10:28:12 PM

Serbia is through to the quarter-finals of the basketball World Championship after a thrilling one-point victory over bitter rivals Croatia in Turkey on Saturday.

An Aleksandar Rasic free throw with one second on the clock secured the Serbs a 73-72 win to set up a clash against reigning champions Spain.

Serbia had led by as much as seven points in the final stanza, but Croat Marko Popovic scored eight of 10 free-throw attempts, including both shots from the line with 5.9 seconds remaining to level the scores.

With Serbia in possession, Rasic dribbled the length of the court to draw a foul. He scored his first free throw attempt, before deliberately missing his second attempt to deny Croatia any chance of responding.

Top-scoring for the victors were Nena Krstic (16 points), Rasic (15) and Kosta Perovic (10).

Popovic scored a game-high 21 points for Croatia with Roko Ukic chipping in 11 points.

Serbia coach Dusan Ivkovic said the win delivered the side their Championship goal, but they were not simply going to roll over for Spain.

"We have reached our competition target. That doesn't mean we are satisfied but to get so far for this young team and have the possibility to play three more games is very good," he said.

In the other match on Saturday, Spain finished in a flurry to move through to the last eight with a 80-72 win over Greece.

The defending champions led by a solitary point at the final break, but shot clear courtesy of Juan Carlos Navarro's game-high 22 points and some fine play from Spain's bench players.

Fran Vazquez and Felipe Reyes were both influential off the bench, combining for 12 points and 17 rebounds.

Spain coach Rudy Fernandez said a lift in intensity was required for his side to progress in Turkey.

"We knew we needed to step up our game if we wanted to continue in the tournament and I think we did that today. We stepped up our defence, showed concentration from start to finish and we got the job done. I think we have taken a step forward with respect to our previous performances and now we have to start thinking about Serbia," he said.

 

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