Sharp-shooting Slovenia shock Spain in Eurobasket semi
Basketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Gasper Vidmar of Slovenia and Marc Gasol of Spain in action. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A superb display helped Slovenia storm into their first major basketball final, as they beat champions Spain 92-72 to book their place in Sunday's Eurobasket showpiece.
While the Spaniards struggled with their shooting early on, Slovenia had the hot hand in the first half, hitting 10 of 15 from beyond the arc to go into the break with a four-point lead, 49-45.
With both sides coming into the game off the back of seven successive Eurobasket victories, a close contest was expected, but Slovenia blew the Spaniards away in the second half.
Basketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Players of Slovenia celebrate. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
The underdogs led by 19 early in the fourth quarter, despite the influential Goran Dragic spending much of the third period on the bench.
At the other end of the floor Slovenia's defence smothered the Spanish attack, switching quickly and pressuring shooters, regardless of whether they were on the perimeter or driving to the basket.
With Dragic back in the game, Slovenia kept their lead as Spain, led by veteran brothers Pau and Marc Gasol, repeatedly missed shots on offence and were caught flat-footed on defence.
FILE PHOTO - Basketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Players of Slovenia celebrate. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
Dragic and American-born Anthony Randolph topped the scoring charts for Slovenia, netting 15 points each, with Randolph a perfect three-for-three from outside the arc.
In another superb display, Slovenia's teenage point guard Luka Doncic notched up 11 points, as well as chipping in with eight assists.
Serbia and Russia face off in the second semi-final on Friday.
Basketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Players and team members of Slovenia celebrate. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor in Stockholm; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Basketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Goran Dragic of Slovenia celebrates. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Players of Slovenia celebrate. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Gasper Vidmar of Slovenia and Marc Gasol of Spain in action. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Luka Doncic and Goran Dragic of Slovenia react. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Klemen Prepelic of Slovenia celebrates. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Pau Gasol of Spain in action. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Coach Sergio Scariolo of Spain reacts. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Supporters of Slovenia wait for the start of the match. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Anthony Randolph of Slovenia and Marc Gasol of Spain in action. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Ziga Dimec of Slovenia celebrates with fans. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Jaka Blazic of Slovenia and Joan Sastre of Spain in action. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Coach Igor Kokoskov of Slovenia reacts. REUTERS/Osman OrsalBasketball - Spain v Slovenia - European Championships EuroBasket 2017 Semi-Final - Istanbul, Turkey - September 14, 2017 - Luka Doncic of Slovenia celebrateS. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
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