The Czech Republic stunned EuroBasket co-hosts and 2013 semi-finalists Croatia 80-59 on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

While Czechoslovakia won a European title in 1946, the Czech Republic earned their maiden berth in the EuroBasket last eight by eliminating Croatia.

Croatia had reached at least the quarter-final stage of four of the past five European championships but were never really in the contest in Lille, France, with the Czechs storming to a 48-31 lead at half-time.

The Czech Republic then produced a 15-2 run to take control further, although seven straight points in the final minute of the third quarter kept the Croats in with a slim chance of victory.

The best Croatia could manage in the final term was to reduce the deficit to 13 points, as Ronen Ginzburg's Czechs went on to make history.

Jan Vesely led the way for the Czech Republic with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Mario Hezonja (10, nine) battled hard for Croatia.

The Czech Republic will face Serbia in the quarter-finals after the latter accounted for Finland 94-81 thanks to Miroslav Raduljica's 27 points.

France, Latvia, Spain and Greece had already qualified for the last eight on Saturday, and Lithuania and Italy completed that group.

Lithuania came from behind to defeat Georgia 85-81, while Italy crushed Israel 82-52 thanks to a 28-9 third quarter.

It sets up a rematch of the 2013 quarter-final between Lithuania and Italy, which the former won by four points on their way to the final.