KAUNUS, Lithuania--Andrei Kirilenko scored 10 in the fourth period, including 8-of-9 from the line. His steady shooting helped Russia hold Serbia at arm’s length, 77-67.
The win places Russia into Eurobasket's semifinals against France. Today's early quarterfinal saw France outmatch Greece, 64-56.
Serbia played without six-foot-seven Milenko Tepic and his 8.3 average. Tepic injured his back while training, prior to the game. As of press time his status for future games was unknown. His absence left the Serbian backcourt weaker than normal.
Timofey Mozgov put the Serbs on their heels early with 8 first-quarter points. Next, it was forward Viktor Khyrapa who approached brilliance in the second, hitting four jumpers from beyond the arc. Russia's lead reached twelve at one point.
The score was 34-27 at halftime.
Serbia has three seven-footers on the roster. But Russia, still undefeated in tournament play, pounded the backboard for 14 offensive rebounds and 6 blocks. This was their tenth-straight Eurobasket quarterfinal appearance.
Serbia's Milos Teodosic knocked in 20 points and even added three assists. The effort wasn't enough, partly because he also committed nine turnovers. Serbia gave the ball away 19 times.
There was a moment in the third when Serbia made the game tighter. Teodosic and Nenad Krstic combined for 14 points in that period. Milan Macvan's bomb from three-point land spurred a run to get Serbia within one at 39-38. Yet Russia never allowed them opportunity to lead, or even tie.
Serbia got close again at 9:00, 54-50. Kirilenko was fouled shooting a three, and the play shifted momentum. The Russian defense, solid all game long, held their opponent without a point for three minutes in the fourth quarter. By then, the score was 64-54.
On the offensive end, they wisely placed the ball in Kirilenko's hands late in the game. The superb free throw shooter proved worthy.
The Serbian team has had a difficult time in 2011 Eurobasket. They outlasted Dirk Nowitski and the Germans. Otherwise, there are no notable victories on their schedule. Serbia's Friday game against Greece will decide which advances to the Olympic qualifying tournament.
Kirilenko rebounded from his poor performance against Macedonia earlier this week. He scored two points in that game, and Russia needed a buzzer beater from Sergey Monya to snatch victory.
Tonight, Kirilenko was a force all over the court, approaching a triple-double with 14 points, 11 boards, and 6 assists.
Chris DeBrie - Chris DeBrie has written for "The Appalachian", Examiner, and The 12th Man. He is the author of several novels.
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