Reigning champions Spain scrape through to Eurobasket quarter-finals despite defeat

By James Crook

September 16 - Defending champions Spain have edged through to the quarter-finals of the 2013 EuroBasket in Slovenia, despite a shock overtime defeat at the hands of Italy, who have also secured a place in the last eight.

The Spaniards, who already have a guaranteed place at next year's International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup by virtue of being the host nation, were defeated 86-81 in overtime by Italy, who leapfrogged their opponents to take third place in Group F.

Spain will now face the winners of the other group, Serbia, on Wednesday (September 18) in the quarter-finals after narrowly securing a fourth-place finish ahead of Finland.

Croatia secured first place in Group F and eliminated their opponents with a 92-88 double overtime victory over Greece

Croatia top Group F after eliminating Greece in double overtime 92-88 to set up a quarter-final clash against Ukraine on Thursday (September 19), whilst the host nation go through in second place in the same group to face France for a place in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Italy, meanwhile, will face Lithuania in the final quarter-final match-up on Thursday.

The top six teams will qualify for next summer's World Cup, excluding the already-qualified Spaniards, before FIBA allocate for wild card spots to complete the line-up for the tournament.

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