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Sports / Basketball
Russia beat France and jinx to make semis
(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-14 06:10
MADRID - Russia beat France 75-71 in a nerve-jangling quarter-final to
make the final four at the European Championship on Thursday.
At the previous four championships Russia had crashed out in the
quarter-finals, but they showed a greater coolness in the closing minutes
to overhaul the 2005 bronze medallists, who had held a narrow lead
through most of the game.
Victor Khryapa top scored for Russia with 16 points and seven rebounds,
and was closely supported by Jon Robert Holden with 15, and Nikita
Morgunov with 14.
France's Boris Diaw notched a game-high 17 points and added six rebounds,
while Tony Parker ended with 15 points.
"The best thing about winning this game is that no one can ask me that
damn question again. Why can't you get past the quarters?" said a
delighted Russia coach David Blatt.
With a minute and 46 seconds remaining in the game the scores were tied
at 69 apiece when Holden sank two free throws to nudge Russia ahead.
In an intense run-in to the buzzer Diaw missed a pair of free throws and
Parker only managed two of four, while Sergey Monya sank two of two, and
Zakhar Pashutin made two of four, to seal the victory.
"We played with great conviction and motivation. It was a tough game. But
we have to score our easy shots, especially the free throws," France
coach Claude Bergeaud said.
France still have a chance to earn a place at the Beijing Olympics in the
play-offs to decide finishing positions.
There are two automatic slots available through the Euros and four places
in an additional qualifying tournament. Spain have already qualified as
world champions.
Later, hosts Spain take on the 2005 silver medallists Germany.
Unbeaten Lithuania play Croatia and holders Greece face Slovenia in the
other two quarter-finals on Friday.
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