IN THE GAME

GAME OF THE DAY: In a physical battle, with Hedo Turkoglu hurt and unable to put the team on his back in the decisive moments, Turkey fought down Spain 63:60. It hadn’t been a game of high quality all along. Referees allowed a lot of contact [one of the characteristics of refereeing in this year's Eurobasket so far], which consecuently turned the game into a fight under the basket. Both teams are not known for their physical toughness, but Turkey still came out on top, when Ersan Ilyasova blocked [it looked clean] Sergio Llull’s potential game winning dunk attempt. Marc Gasol stated in his post game interview that the ball should have gone to Pau. Spain, now at 1-2 in Group F, is facing Lithuania today, a game which both teams, two of the top contenders among experts prior to this tournament, cannot afford to lose.

Ersan Ilyasova was Turkey’s key guy once again, finishing with 15 points and 5 rebounds, while Omer Asik had 13 and Kerem Tunceri, who has been solid all tournament [he's had only two turnovers so far ... as a point guard], added 11.

What is there to say about Spain? Referees are making it difficult for the Spanish team by allowing a lot of physical contact in this tournament, something that doesn’t exist to such a high degree in both NBA and ACB, the two leagues where the large majority of Spanish internationals are under contract. The outside shooting of Jose Calderon is missing at this point. Ricky Rubio is doing well … for a teenager. He is 2 for 11 from three point range in this tournament, and he is contributing 3.5 assists on 2 turnovers. His backups Raul Lopez and Carlos Cabezas are performing on a low level. Which is not a big surprise considering their subpar seasons on club level. It is unfortunate for the Spanish that Scariolo decided to go with the two players he will be coaching at Khimki next season.

PLAYER OF THE DAY: Ersan Ilyasova has had more spectacular games, 15 and 5 on 5 for 12 shooting isn’t something he has never done before. However, considering the importance of this game, and the influence it might have on the tournament, his performance on both ends of the floor – including the game-saving block against Llull – was huge.

DAILY LEADERS:

BLOWOUT OF THE DAY: Slovenia’s 81:58-trashing of Lithuania was hard to watch, especially if you think what could have been – A Lithuanian side with Jasikevicius, Kaukenas, Siskauskas and Songaila would certainly have been a favourite in this tournament.

SURPRISE OF THE DAY: Russia’s huge victory over Greece means, most probably, quarter final participation for David Blatt’s team. Russia has been playing very good defense all tournament long, and their offense is clicking better and better with every game. Bykov and Ponkrashov do a surprisingly good job running the pick and roll, Mozgov is finishing inside on a high percentage, and three point shooting has never been a problem. Who would have thought all that after the Russians’ mediocre performances in preparation?

DAY 4-5 BOXSCORES:

LIKEABLE LOSER: Poland is giving it a try. They are playing an uptempo style with a lot of enthusiasm and the crowd is really into it, yet it is mostly their defense which isn’t solid enough to make them a quarter final team. Opponents are raining threes on them. What statistics don’t tell: It is mainly the consequence of Gortat waiting under the basket to go for the shot block, instead of stepping outside and defending the pick and roll. That way, the opponent’s ballhandler just has to use the screen and go up for the open shot. A matter of too exhaustion? Gortat is playing 37.3 minutes per game. Whichever way you look at it, the problem remains.

STATISTIC OF THE DAY: Six – the number of three pointers Jaka Lakovic had in Slovenia’s game versus Lithuania, a maximum so far in this Eurobasket. Lakovic finished with 6 of 9 and is continuing his strong showing so far in the tournament. He’ll be tested even more now, with Goran Dragic going down to injury and Slovenia facing host Poland today.

CLUTCH PERFORMANCE/PLAY OF THE DAY: Surely Ilyasova’s aforementioned block on Llull. But Gortat’s one handed dunk off the lob at number two also deserves some attention.

RANDOM REMARKS:

• The Pau Gasol free throw watch: 17/31, or 51.5 percent.
• Germany’s opponents are no longer being stixed: FYROM shot an almost faultless 19/27 [70.4 percent] from the foul line.