Serbia and Macedonia go through, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Croatia, Israel & Montenegro are out

From all the Balkan countries and Israel participating in EuroBasket 2011 only two teams have extended their stay for the second phase of the tournament as well - Serbia and Macedonia. Bulgaria, Bosnia, Croatia, Israel and Montenegro are going home.   Yesterday in Group B Israel achieved an overtime 96:95 win against Italy, which only gave them the fourth spot in the final standings with a balance of 2-3. Guy Pnini scored 22 points for the win.   Serbia lost the direct battle for the first spot, as they were defeated after overtime by France - 96:97, despite Marko Keselj′s 25 point effort. Tony Parker had 24 for France.   In Group C Macedonia won the first place, finishing with a balance of 4-1, after defeating Bosnia in their last game - 75:63. Bo McCalleb scored 22 points for Macedonia, while Nihad Dedovic had 15 for Bosnia.   Montenegro lost to Finland 71:65 , as that was their fourth straight loss. Nikola Pekovic managed to score 16 points, but that wasn′t enough for anything.   Croatia also found their way out of EuroBasket, after a 74:69 defeat against Greece. This result sent Finland to the third spot and guaranteed them participation in the next phase.   In Group D Bulgaria had dreams of going through for a couple of hours, after beating Georgie 69:79. E.J. Rowland scored 25, while Kaloyan Ivanov added 15. However Belgium had to beat Ukraine in order for Bulgaria to qualify, but that didn′t happen after a 74:61 Ukraine win, which sent the Bulgarians home. Russia finished first in this group and Slovenia second.