Greece, France Set Up Meeting

SAITAMA, Japan — Greece overcame a terrible first quarter with an impressive third quarter and advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIBA world championships with a 95-64 victory over China on Sunday night.

Greece (6-0) remained one of four unbeaten teams by outscoring China, 26-6, in the third quarter to take a 67-42 lead. It was a far cry from the opening period, when Greece missed 16 of its first 19 shots in falling behind, 18-11.

On Wednesday, Greece will make its fourth quarterfinal appearance in the last five world championships, facing France (4-2), which beat Angola, 68-62, despite going the final 4 1/2 minutes without a field goal.

Theodoros Papaloukas had 19 points for Greece, which committed only three turnovers and forced China (2-4) into 24. Yao Ming had 10 points and eight rebounds for China.

France reached the quarterfinals for the first time in 43 years behind Aymeric Jeanneau’s 16 points, including six free throws in the final 36 seconds. Jeanneau started at point guard for Tony Parker, who has a broken finger.

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Schedule

Quarterfinal matchups at Saltama, Japan (times Pacific). The U.S.-Germany game will be televised live on ESPN2.

*--* Day Teams Time Tuesday Argentina vs. Turkey 12:30 a.m. Tuesday Spain vs. Lithuania 3:30 a.m. Wednesday Greece vs. France 12:30 a.m. Wednesday U.S. vs. Germany 3:30 a.m.

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Source: USAbasketball.com