France and Greece battled yesterday for the first place of group E, the previous stage before the quarterfinals. The "Bleus" won the game 71-69 with Nicolas Batum ('88) and Antoine Diot ('89) -at the pic- helping in the victory. The small-forward collected 8 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block, while the point-guard scored 3 points and grabbed 3 rebounds. At greek side Kostas Koufos ('89) didn't play, and Nick Calathes ('89) -coming from the bench- shined with 7 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.    

Germany lost against Croatia (68-70) with not a good game of the prospects of the young squad. Lucca Staiger ('88) scored 6 points (2/2 threes) and grabbed 2 rebounds, and Robin Benzing ('89) collected 3 points and 2 rebounds in 11 minutes. The other ones didn't score: Tim Olbrecth ('88) played 9 minutes (0/2 FG and 2 rebounds), Elias Harris ('89), 4 minutes, and Tibor Pleiss ('89), 1 minute. Finally in the last game of the day Russia beat FYROM (71-69). On the standings France finished first of the group (4-0), below Russia (3-2), Greece (3-2), Croatia (2-3), FYROM (1-4) and Germany (1-4).  

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Harry Zampetoulas