Greece comes from behind to stun host Croatia

Greece came back from 10 points down in Zagreb to beat host Croatia 72-70 on Sunday and is looking good for topping its pool in the 2015 Eurobasket.

This character-building performance will not only allow the Greeks earn an easier opponent in the next round, but also help this new team build its confidence ahead of greater challenges.

For more than three periods in the game Croatia had the upper hand, leading 33-28 at half-time and stretching its advantage to up to 10 points on three occasions.

However the formation with three guards by coach Fotis Katsikaris resulted in a partial 21-6 in the final period and brought Greece five points in the lead just over one minute from the end, from 61-51 down to 72-67 ahead.

Greece’s dominance in rebounds (40 against 32) told when the Croats stopped scoring at will from outside the 6.75-meter line.

Vassilis Spanoulis was the top scorer for Greece with 16 points, followed by Giorgos Printezis with 13.

Greece’s next game is on Tuesday against Georgia.