Lithuania and Turkey jumpstart the games between the final eight teams remaining in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup on Tuesday at Palau Sant Jordi, Spain.

Both these teams had to go through the needle to advance in the final eight with Turkey delivering arguably the best come from behind win over controversial Australia with a late Emir Preldzic three point shot to win the game with just five seconds left. Now, they will need not just luck but a lot of effort to advance against the tall Lithuanians.

How They Got Here

Lithuania got the surprise of their life with a determined Tall Blacks that almost made an upset. With team leader and starting point guard Mantas Kalnietis and scorer Linas Kleiza sidelined even before the competition began, it is amazing how they have just suffered one loss. They again relied on Toronto Raptors prized center Jonas Valanciunas who delivered an eye-popping statistical line of 22 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. New Zealand banked on spit fire reserve guard Corey Webster who delivered 26 points in a losing effort. Lietuva had to use the full strength of its bench getting contributions like Jonas Maciulis who delivered a key three late in the game to create separation.

Turkey is providing some great entertainment on their way to the final eight. The delivered a win over Finland in closely contested overtime match and in the last game, gave Team USA the scare of their lives in their group match and came from behind from the favored Australians to advance. With trusted veterans like Omer Asik producing less (2 points in last game), the Turkish squad had to rely on grit and the biggest back to back threes of Preldzic in the end game to produce the upset. Ergin Sttamin's squad is looking to replicate that magic today as they are again underdogs in against a tall squad.

Prediction:

Expect Lithuania to capitalize on their length and size and if Omer Asik and Sinan Guler do not show their usual force, the Turkish team may be in trouble in this one. The Lithuanians have been more precise in their execution and Valanciunas has been the best center of the tournament so far but still never count out the magic of the Turkey squad that up to this point, provided the best challenge to Team USA. Prediction: Lithuania 78, Turkey 69.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Lithuania:

Adas Juskevicius (Guard)

Renaldas Seibutis (Guard)

Jonas Maciulis (Forward)

Donatas Monteijunas (Forward)

Jonas Valanciunas (Center)

Turkey:

Ender Arslan (Guard)

Sinan Guler (Guard)

Emir Preldzic (Forward)

Baris Hersek (Forward)

Omer Asik (Center)

You can watch the live streaming match of Turkey and Lithuania via ESPN3.