The French had a 48-47 lead with just 1 minute and 58 seconds remaining on the clock, but Işıl Alben made a go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute to earn the Turkish a 50-48 victory in Ankara. 

In the group's other match, Canada broke open a tight game in the third quarter and beat Mozambique, 69-54.

Meanwhile in Group C, Penny Taylor scored 20 points as Australia cruised to a 90-57 win against Cuba, while Belarus overcame South Korea 70-64 in an entertaining encounter in Istanbul. 

The Belarusians appeared to be in total command after establishing a 21-point lead early in the third quarter, but a late rally from the South Koreans reduced the arrears to 55-45 with 10 minutes remaining.

A steal and lay-up by Jihyun Shin cut the advantage to 67-64 with just eight seconds on the clock but after a Belarus timeout, Katsiaryna Snytsina made a three-ball to seal the victory.

Penny Taylor scored 20 points for Australia as they comfortably saw off Cuba ©Getty Images



In Group A, last year's EuroBasket Most Valuable Player, Sancho Lyttle, had 19 points and 12 rebounds for Spain in their 74-50 victory over Japan, while Alena Hanušová poured in 15 for the Czech Republic in their 68-55 win against Brazil.

In Group D, Serbia thrashed Angola 102-42 and the United States beat China 87-56.

The US faced a very determined China, but despite only leading 39-32 at half-time, they stamped their authority on the contest in the third quarter and won decisively.

All 16 teams will play their second group-game matches tomorrow.

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