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The Greek men basketball team won the bronze medal on the European Championship, which ended last night in the Polish city Katovize. Fighting for the third place, the Greeks won over Slovenia after a hard game, which ended with 57-56. Hero in the game was the great Sophoclis Shortzanitis, who scored 23 points and ensured the victory of his team. This way the Greek team broke the so called tradition to lose the small finals. On the big final Spain won over Serbia and took the European Championship title.

The blue-whites started the game a bit scared but the good game chemistry between Kalatis and Pridezis in combination with Shortzanitis brought them a lead in the first half, which ended with 16-13. During the second half Shortzanitis asked for a break but nonetheless the tem kept its lead and ended with a difference of 34 to 24. In the third half the 24 year old Olympiakos player returned and most of the time the ball was in his hands. The game was joined by Nick Kalatis, who brought fresh power to the Greek team and the part ended with 42-37.

The Slovenian team played a very good fourth part and five minutes before the end of the game the score was 47-46. From then on the game turned into a real derby in a beautiful game of basketball with a lot of tension – both for the players and for the fans. The accurate shots of “the big Sopho” brought a lead for the Greeks – 51-46, two minutes before the end of the game. The last two minutes were a real basketball thriller for both teams, who were scoring one after the other and at the end the score was 57-56.

The most shots during the game were done by Sophoclis Shortzanitis – 23 points, followed by the Slovenian Lorbeck with 12 points.