Greek Depth Too Much For Czechs

by Jared Grellet

Vasileios Toliopoulos and Greece recorded the second big win in as many days

11 of the 12 players on the Greek roster have contributed to the scoresheet, helping their team remain unbeaten with an 86-61 victory over the Czech Republic.

Building a comfortable 13-point lead by the end of the opening quarter, Greece were made to work hard to defend it in the second frame as Marek Mares knocked down three from beyond the arc to bring the Czech Republic back within four points when the half-time buzzer sounded.

But Greece's depth off the bench proved the telling stat as Manos Manouselis' subs interchanged seamlessly with the starting line up, contributing 16 points, whilst the Czech bench could only provide four.

Dimitrios Stamitis went eight-for-nine from the field to pick up 23 points and Vasileios Charalampopoulos provided 13.

Matej Svoboda had another productive night with 22 points and eight rebounds.

The Czech's loss offers an enticing final day encounter when they square up against the also winless Poles in a game that will determine the third and final team from group D to move in the second round. Greece take on France to decide Group D's top qualifier.