Greece edges Italy at home

The countdown to EuroBasket 2017 continued this week as nations around Europe prepare for the tournament later this month. The standout contest on Thursday saw Greece claim a home victory over Italy.

In Athens, the hosts were pushed all the way by the visiting Italy as the game tumbled into a tenso overtime period. Both these nations will line up at EuroBasket 2017 next week, and this game will send both into the tournament in good shape. Greece may have the win, but Italy will be pleased to have gone so close in the Greek capital.

Italy vs. Greece, 70-73 OT

Day 2 of the Acropolis tournament saw Greece take a 20-16 lead after the first frame. Italy drew to within two points at the long break, before the hosts moved ahead again through thirty minutes. The Azzurri showed its fighting spirit to fight back in the fourth act and close regular time at 64-64. In the overtime period, Nick Calathes and Konstantinos Sloukas drained from beyond the arc to steal the victory.

Georgios Printezis topped the winners with 19 points, while Daniel Hackett hauled the same amount for the Italians.