Watch FIBA EuroBasket Highlights – Parker Dazzles, Rubio Dishes, Dragic Dominates – Top Plays of First Round of World Cup Qualifier
The 2013 FIBA EuroBasket Championship is set to wrap up the first round of play on Monday with Spain, Italy and France all securing their place in the next round. Yet, the final casting for upcoming second level of battle isn't yet complete. Belgium, Czech Republic and Croatia are still hanging in there, hoping a win could extend their stint in Slovenia.
Monday's schedule will determine the elite 12 ball clubs of this FIBA World Cup qualifier for Europe. France, despite securing a place in the second round, is still expected to field their core players (Tony Parker, Nicolas Batum, Mikael Galabale) against a Belgian team raring to stay alive in the tourney.
Aside from the formidable triumvirate, Belgium also has to worry about the presence of big man Alexis Ajinca, who racked up 13 points in 17 solid minutes of action.
"The key was to put the ball inside where our domination was obvious," Les Bleaus coach Vincent Collet told FIBA Europe reporters right after the game. "They were smart to hide this weakness but you must use this, around the post-up situation. Every time we did it, easier things came.
"Unfortunately for a while in the second half, we forgot to do it. For a while we played too much with the dribble and that's when they came back. When we started to go inside, we found good situations."
Spain, who also moved on to the second round after crushing their last two opponents, looks to cap their first round campaign with a victory against Georgia. On the other hand, Greece and Finland are locked in an interesting match-up, which could serve as a preview of their showdown in the knockout stages.
For Full Results and Boxscores of the FIBA EuroBasket Day 6 - including games between France v Belgium and Croatia v Czech Republic, the link below is the best site for it.
FIBA EuroBasket 2013: Complete Boxscore, Scores, & Recap are available on LP Coverage of FIBA EuroBasket 2013
Before I leave you all, here are some of the best plays in the first round of FIBA EuroBasket
Tony Parker Nifty Layup
Rick Rubio Dishes Sweet Pass
Goran Dragic Stuns Spain With All-Around Performance