EUROBASKET 2011

Dusko Savanovic's scoring ability and toughness will be at a premium in Serbia's key clash with Germany

Israel v Latvia - Sunday at 15:15 (14:15 CET)

Israel and Latvia put it all on the line when they meet in EuroBasket Group B on Sunday in Siauliai.

Both teams have just remote chances of advancing to the next round after having tasted only defeat so far in the competition.

A win for either side, followed by victory again on Monday, could see them force a three-way tie with Italy and Germany.

Rihards Kuksiks has been a standout performer for Latvia and he found his side's latest loss, a 71-62 defeat to Italy, tough to take.

But he stressed the need for the team to look ahead.

"I'm really happy that we won in rebounds (against Italy) and that we played really hard in another game," he said.

"We just need to prepare for the next game against Israel."

Israel were outstanding against Serbia on Friday and led for much of the contest but Arik Shivek's side lost 89-80.

One bright spot was point guard Afik Nissim, who had 16 points and nine assists.

Another was Elishay Kadir, a 23-year-old power forward who had a team-high 10 rebounds to go with his seven points.

"From this tournament, we have another player in the first eight, nine players that are playing, that we can add one more player to that list," Israel coach Shivek said to FIBA Europe.

"Elishay Kadir did a good job offensively, defensively, rebounding, understanding the game, giving the assists to everybody. He really worked hard."

Italy v France - Sunday at 17:45 (16:45 CET)

Red-hot France have tasted victory in all three of their games so far in Group B and they will try to win a fourth and drive a final nail in the coffin of Italy in their meeting on Sunday.

With two losses in their first two games, Italy stayed alive with a nine-point triumph over Latvia on Friday, getting 36 points from Andrea Bargnani.

Simone Pianigiani's team has no room for error as they try to clinch a top-three finish in order to advance.

They will have to come up with a plan to limit the overall contributions of France playmaker Tony Parker, who is averaging a EuroBasket best 28 points per game.

Germany v Serbia - Sunday at 21:00 (20:00 CET)

Serbia take a three-game winning streak into their clash with Germany and they will know their perfect record is going to be put to the test against a talented squad that now includes Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman.

The NBA duo spent a large part of the second half on the bench against France on Friday night, who went in front by 21 points but ultimately won 76-65.

Germany's passage to the next round is anything but secure and even if they do move on, they will want to take a victory over a team that is also progressing.

Otherwise, reaching the Quarter-Finals will be extremely difficult.

Serbia, meanwhile, escaped against Israel on Friday and Dusko Savanovic was a big reason why as he poured in 24 points.

Germany will know that Serbia have numerous weapons to beat them, but they will also remember that even without Nowitzki and Kaman last year at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey, they were able to beat Serbia.