Led by 7-1 Russian pivot Timofey Mozgov, Russia pulled out a 62-59 win over Croatia in the first day of qualification games.
The 23-year old center, who came into the game having averaged just 8.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and accumulated 14 personal fouls in his previous three matches, collected game highs of 18 points and 8 rebounds in dominating the interior.
Vitali Fridzon and Kelly McCarty each added 9 points for the Russians.
Fridzon was key, making four straight free throws in the last 13 seconds to make the final margin. Croatia’s Davor Kus’ shot to tie the game came up way short.
The Russian squad is a young one, missing arguably the top five members from the 2007 Eurobasket team that won the gold medal, including Andrei Kirilenko, J.R. Holden, Viktor Khryapa, Nikita Morgunov, and Aleksey Savrasenko.
Croatia was led by Mario Kasun’s 13 points and 6 rebounds, and Marko Banic added 11 points and 7 rebounds. Zoran Planinić collected 12 points for the losing side.
Euroleague star Nikola Vujčić has been playing fantastic for the Croats, coming in averaging a team high 15.3 points, could only muster 3 points on 1-10 shooting vs. Russia.
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