EUROBASKET 2015
Familiar foes France and Spain will meet once more in the EuroBasket 2015 semi-finals after both prevailed in their quarter-finals in Lille on Tuesday.
The European powers have met eight times at major competitions in the past five years, with Spain winning five of those contests - although France have the more recent advantage, edging their rivals in the EuroBasket 2013 semi-final and 2014 FIBA World Cup quarter-final.
Familiar foes France and Spain will meet once more in the EuroBasket 2015 semi-finals after both prevailed in their quarter-finals in Lille on Tuesday.
The European powers have met eight times at major competitions in the past five years, with Spain winning five of those contests - although France have the more recent advantage, edging their rivals in the EuroBasket 2013 semi-final and 2014 FIBA World Cup quarter-final.
They have also shared the last three EuroBasket titles, although only one will make the 2015 final after Spain clung on for a 73-71 defeat of Greece and France rose above Latvia 84-70.
Spain were aggressive in getting to the basket early in the fourth quarter while Greece only added three points in 6:42 and left themselves too much to do despite a slight wobble by Sergio Scariolo's men.
Pau Gasol led the Spanish once again with 27 points and nine rebounds while his Chicago Bulls team-mate Nikola Mirotic added 18.
"The most important thing was our defence," said Mirotic.
"All this tournament we have played great offence. We knew everybody needed to give another step on defence and trust each other.
"This is just one more step."
Tony Parker stepped on the gas, scoring nine points in a row during the second quarter to bring the hosts to life and spark an increase in intensity after half-time following a slow start.
Latvia had shot 61% from the floor during the first half but were limited to 2-of-19 shooting in the third period as the hosts pulled away.
Coach Vincent Collet admitted that adjustments were required to secure the victory, but felt it underlined his team's versatility.
"It was very difficult in the first half," said Collet.
"We had some problems with some switches. A few minutes before half-time we decided to switch on everything.
"That is not common, as we had the big men on the point guard. But fortunately we have big men who can handle that and that allowed us to do other things. Before that we were running after them. After that they stopped the ball."
Spain and France will do battle on Thursday after Serbia have played Czech Republic and Italy face Lithuania on Wednesday for the right to join them in the final four.
Spain were aggressive in getting to the basket early in the fourth quarter while Greece only added three points in 6:42 and left themselves too much to do despite a slight wobble by Sergio Scariolo's men.
Pau Gasol led the Spanish once again with 27 points and nine rebounds while his Chicago Bulls team-mate Nikola Mirotic added 18.
"The most important thing was our defence," said Mirotic.
"All this tournament we have played great offence. We knew everybody needed to give another step on defence and trust each other.
"This is just one more step."
Tony Parker stepped on the gas, scoring nine points in a row during the second quarter to bring the hosts to life and spark an increase in intensity after half-time following a slow start.
Latvia had shot 61% from the floor during the first half but were limited to 2-of-19 shooting in the third period as the hosts pulled away.
Coach Vincent Collet admitted that adjustments were required to secure the victory, but felt it underlined his team's versatility.
"It was very difficult in the first half," said Collet.
"We had some problems with some switches. A few minutes before half-time we decided to switch on everything.
"That is not common, as we had the big men on the point guard. But fortunately we have big men who can handle that and that allowed us to do other things. Before that we were running after them. After that they stopped the ball."
Spain and France will do battle on Thursday after Serbia have played Czech Republic and Italy face Lithuania on Wednesday for the right to join them in the final four.
By: eurobasket2015.org
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