Nowitzki scores 35 points to lead Germany Over Czechs In OT; France, Russia Also Win

MADRID, Spain (AP) -Dirk Nowitzki had 35 points and 11 rebounds in Germany's 83-78 overtime victory against the Czech Republic on the opening day of the European basketball championships Monday.

In Alicante, Tony Parker scored 16 and France held off Poland 74-66, and a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Jaka Lakovic lifted Slovenia past Olympic runner-up Italy 69-68 in Group D.

Defending champion Greece opened with a 76-66 win over Israel in a Group A match in Granada, and Andrei Kirilenko's 24 points and 12 rebounds led Russia over Serbia 73-65.

NBA All-Star forward Pau Gasol scored 19 and Spain routed Portugal 82-56 in Seville to begin its campaign to become the third country to lift the European trophy while holding the world title. Latvia surprised Croatia 85-77 in the other Group B match.

In Group C, three-time winner Lithuania rolled past Turkey 85-69.

At Palma de Mallorca, Nowitzki scored 19 second-half points and four more in overtime as Germany rallied from an early deficit in their Group C game.

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source : sportsillustrated.cnn.com