STOCKHOLM, 7 September 2003 — World champions Serbia & Montenegro got off to a poor start in their defense of the European Championship crown as Russia knocked off the eight-time continental title-holders 95-80 in Friday’s first day of action in Sweden. Russia’s Utah Jazz star Andrei Kirilenko proved unstoppable for the Balkan giants, gathering 29 points, 10 rebounds, six blocked shots, two assists and one steal despite playing the final 12 minutes with four fouls.
With Kirilenko in foul trouble, Fedor Likholitov picked up the scoring slack with 12 of his 14 points in the second half. Vassili Karassev added 16 points and Zakhar Pachoutine 12 for the 14-time European champions. Predrag Drobnjak led the Serbs with 18 points and eight rebounds, but fellow NBA star and captain Predrag Stojakovic struggled with 17 points on 5-of-21 shooting in Sodertalje.
Tournament co-favorites Germany survived a scare against Israel as Dirk Nowitzki and Ademola Okulaja each scored 17 points in an 86-81 victory. Barcelona star Okulaja added 10 rebounds while club teammate Patrick Femerling chipped in 16 points and six rebounds as Germany held off a late push from the Israelis in the Group B encounter in Norrkoping.
Meir Tapiro paced Israel with 21 points while Yoav Saffar added 11 points and six rebounds for Israel, who are last in the group following Lithuania’s 92-91 overtime victory in the all-Baltic battle with Latvia.
In Group D, Greece nearly suffered a big setback to their title hopes as the 1987 winners beat Croatia 77-76 on a basket by Christos Charisis with 8.6 seconds. Croatia had led by 11 at one time and missed four free throws leading 77-76 in the final 18 seconds. The 2001 silver medallists Turkey nearly were upset in the other Group D encounter but Mehmet Okur scored 19 points and Mirsad Turksan added 17 in a 77-69 victory against Ukraine.
In Group A, France also touted as title-contenders struggled at times against Bosnia & Herzegovina but won 98-76 with 19 points from Laurent Foirest. Group A saw a minor surprise as Houston Rockets center Bostijan Nachbar scored 21 points in Slovenia’s 77-67 victory against 1997 champions Italy.
