Intro:

Croatia beat Ukraine 84-72 to reach the semi-finals of the European Basketball Championships for the first time in 18 years. A fourth quarter 15-0 run saw Lithuania eventually beat Italy 81-77 to reach the semi-finals of the European Basketball Championships on Thursday (19th September).

Script:

Croatia beat Ukraine 84-72 to reach the semi-finals of the European Basketball Championships for the first time in 18 years.

Having trailed 12-5 Croatia then went on an emphatic 9-0 run to reel their opponents back at 22-22 at the end of the first quarter.

Croatia took a commanding lead but Ukraine dug deep cutting Croatia's lead down to 70-61 at the third buzzer.

However Ukraine were subdued in the final quarter scoring just 11 points with the experienced Croatian side running the clock down expertly to book their place in the final four.

Elsewhere Lithuania beat Italty 81-77 to take their place in the semi-finals.

Lithuania's resolute defence kept their opponents scoreless for six minutes in the fourth quarter, conjuring a 15-0 run to take an unassailable 72-58 lead

It finished 81-77 and Lithuania will face Croatia in the semi-finals on Friday.