Spain’s EuroBasket title defense in jeopardy after loss to Italy

LIMASSOL, Cyprus: Spain are in danger of not getting out of Group C after losing 67-63 to Italy on Tuesday, but the defending EuroBasket champions still control their destiny.

Marco Spissu put Italy in front for good at 64-63 with two free throws with 31 seconds left and made two more with 14 seconds remaining. Giampaolo Ricci converted one of two free throws with eight seconds on the clock.

Spain, who in 2022 won their fourth title, are tied with Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 2-2 each. Greece and Italy have clinched two of the group’s four spots in the round of 16. But Georgia play Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, so if Spain defeat Greece that same day, the Spaniards will advance.

The knockout phase will be in Riga, Latvia, from Sept. 6-14. Spain beat France 88-76 in the 2022 final.

Mouhamet Diouf led a balanced Italian attack with 14 points, Ricci added 11 points and Saliou Niang had 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Niang in the second round this year.

Santi Aldama, who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, led Spain with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Sergio de Larrea scored 15 points.

Avdija’s leads Israel into knockout stage

Deni Avdija led the way with 22 points as Israel reached the knockout stage with a 92-89 win over Belgium, when Slovenia and France also advanced. Poland are also into the next round from Group D.

Luka Doncic scored 26 points as Slovenia overcame Iceland 87-79 to reach the last 16, qualifying France along the way. The Los Angeles Lakers star was just 2 of 10 from 3-point range.

Avdija, a Portland Trail Blazers forward, scored 23 points Sunday when Israel stunned Paris Olympics silver medalist France 82-69. This time, Maccabi Tel Aviv center Roman Sorkin