Greece prepares for showdown with Turkey

Greece has won its first two matches of the group stage of the at the World Basketball Championship in Turkey and is due to play the hosts tonight (Tuesday).

They both have two wins from two games in Group C and the pressure is beginning to build ahead of Tuesday's showdown.

Any encounter between Greece and Turkey at a major tournament carries great significance but Tuesday's game could decide who tops the group and, therefore, gets an easier draw in the next round.

Greek guard Nikos Zisis believes that playing in front of a home crowd could work against Turkey.

"The Turks will create a hit atmosphere but the pressure will be on the them," he said.

Greece are preparing to welcome back Antonis Fotsis and Sofoklis Schortsanitis after their suspensions.

"Now that Sofoklis and Antonis are returning, our game will improve," said Zisis. "We have a day to rest and prepare. The rest will be decided on court."

Greece vs Puerto Rico

Greece earned a hard-fought win 83-80 win against Puerto Rico on Sunday.

Spanoulis was in top form, scoring 28 points, as Greece turned around a halftime deficit to win the game 83-80.

Greece struggled to get to terms with their opponents, who had strength in the key but speed as well.

However, experience told in the final two periods as Spanoulis and Dimitris Diamantidis, who scored 12 points, began to run the show.

Jonas Kazlauskas's men outscored the Puerto Ricans by nine points in the second half to maintain their 100 percent record.

The game was decided in the final few minutes, when Puerto Rico began to lose their cool and commit foul after foul, allowing Greece to pile on the points from the free-throw line.

There was also a crucial moment with less than two moments, when Diamantidis stole the ball from Jose Barea of the Dallas Mavericks, who led the scoring for Puerto Rico with 20 points, to set up a vital Greek attack.

Greece vs China

Greece started the Championship with a 89 - 81 win over China.

Greece made hard work of disposing of a team that should not have troubled them so much.

China played into the national team's hands by playing a zone defence, which gave the Greek guards space to shoot.

But the Greece was unable to take advantage of this. Dimitris Diamantidis in particular was having trouble getting his shots on target.
As a result, Greece rarely built up a lead of more than 10 points during the game.

At some points, China reduced the deficit to 2 or 3 points, only for Greece to step up a gear again.

China came to within a couple of points with just 2 minutes left on the clock but Greece were able to see the point out thanks to strong play from Vassilis Spanoulis.