Intro:

Russian side CSKA Moscow and Olympiacos of Greece recorded victories on Friday (30 March) to reach the semi-finals in basketball's Euroleague.

Script:

CSKA Moscow and Gescrap BB tipped off in a great atmosphere in the Euroleague play-offs in Bilbao on Friday.

Andrei Kirilenko starred for the Russians with 23 points and eight rebounds.

Bilbao hit the self destruct button at times - Viktor Khryapa capitalised on a turnover in the third quarter to extend CSKA's lead to nine points.

Axel Hervelle started the Basque side's comeback at the end of the third quarter.

Bilbao fought back to within a point with seconds remaining - Aaron Jackson deliberately missed a free throw, hoping that a team mate would make a rebound to win the game - but it was to no avail as CSKA progressed to the semi-finals with a 72-71 victory.

CSKA Moscow will face wither Panathinaikos or Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv in the semis.

In Athens, Olympiacos and Siena battle to join the Russians in the last four.

Vassilis Spanoulis got the Greeks off to a good start.

But Bo McCalebb was not to be outshone as his excellent three pointer kept the visitors in the game.

Kostas Papanikolaou brought Olympiacos back to within two points in the third quarter.

And the hosts were defensively solid as well, Kyle Hines did well to deny McCalebb.

Despite a quick pep talk, Siena could not hold off Olympiacos as Pero Antic sent the crowd wild in the 4th quarter as the Greeks sealed a semi-final clash with Barcelona with a 76-69 win.