EUROBASKET 2011

Turning Point: Greece was better defensively in the second half, held Georgia to just 12 points during the third quarter and then followed up with a strong start to the final period which gave them the platform they needed to take the win.

Game Heroes: Having not played in the second half against Russia, Ioannis Bourousis responded with 13 points off 6-of-8 floor shooting (75%). Meanwhile Kostas Vasileaidis scored 15 points including three triples.

Stats Don't Lie: While they won, Greece will have to pick up their rebounding against France in their next game since they were trashed 39-25. They only grabbed three offensive boards.

Greece bounced back from their mauling by Russia to sign off Round 2 with a win against Georgia.

Having described their previous performance against the Russians as their worst of the tournament, Coach Ilias Zouros demanded an improvement and his team took note to claim a 73-60 victory.

Still playing without injured duo Zaza Pachulia and George Tsintsadze, Georgia trailed 12-7 during the initial exchanges but then came alive to post an 8-0 run either side of the first quarter break to take the lead.

Both teams were sloppy during the first period, turning the ball over too much but this improved dramatically ahead of half-time with Georgia managing to keep their noses in front at 35-32 with guard Marquez Haynes leading the way.

Midway through the third quarter, Greece stepped up their defence and registered a strong 13-4 run which transformed a four-point deficit into a five-point lead at 50-45.

It soon became a commanding ten-point advantage when they scored the first six points of the final period and, while Georgia fought hard, their lack of firepower and key absences proved to be a real problem.

Greece now face France in the Quarter-Finals on Thursday.