Serbia spring Spanish surprise
The opening day of action at EuroBasket 2015 produced plenty of drama as Serbia toppled Spain and France were tested by Finland.
Serbia stunned Spain as EuroBasket 2015 got underway on Saturday, while France started their title defence with a win.
Spain, who finished third in the competition two years ago, led 21-11 at quarter-time, before losing their way as the game progressed, with Serbia prevailing 80-70.
Eight quick points from Pau Gasol gave Spain hope in the final term, but a timely three-pointer from Bogdan Bogdanovic effectively clinched victory for Serbia, who lost by 30 points to the Spaniards in the quarter-finals in 2013.
Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Nemanja Bjelica top-scored for Serbia with 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while Gasol (16 points) of the Chicago Bulls led the way for Spain.
The tussle between Lithuania and Ukraine, meanwhile, could not have been tighter, with the hosts ultimately prevailing 69-68 in Riga.
The 2013 runners-up were far from at their best and relied on Jonas Valanciunas (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Paulius Jankunas (22 points) to see them home.
Reigning champions France, meanwhile, were also tested by Finland, eventually prevailing 97-87 in Montpellier, with veteran point guard Tony Parker scoring a game-high 23 points for the hosts.
Elsewhere, Poland struggled in the final quarter but still hung on to edge out Bosnia and Herzegovina 68-64, tournament debutants Iceland rallied late but could not avoid a 71-65 defeat to Germany and Netherlands marked their first appearance on Europe's biggest stage for 26 years by securing a one-point victory over Georgia in Zagreb.
Czech Republic cruised to a resounding 80-57 victory over Estonia and Greece showed why they are regarded as dark horses for a podium finish as they thumped Macedonia 85-65.
In the day's other games, Omri Casspi inspired Israel to a 76-73 win over Russia, Latvia proved too strong for Belgium 78-67, Turkey threw away a 16-point lead but still managed to see off Italy 89-87 and Croatia beat Slovenia 80-73.