Top Basketball Teams Upset at European Championships

Upsets dominated the European Basketball Championships on Wednesday, with Greece, Italy and Russia all losing their second games during the preliminary round.

Croatia, the tournament favorite and silver medalist at the Barcelona Olympics, nearly joined the group, but got 28 points from forward Danco Cveticanin and rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat France, 100-95, in overtime.

Greece was not so lucky, losing to Israel, 79-74. Latvia upset Italy, 80-79, and Russia lost to Sweden, 100-92, in overtime.

With the breakup of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, which had combined for 19 titles, the 16-team tournament is wide open. Only Croatia and Spain have won both their games and are sure to advance to the second round.

The top three finishers in each of the four four-team groups will reach the second round after round-robin play ends today.