Greece's Nikos Zisis throws the game-winning three-point shot during their first round game against Australia at the world basketball championships in Hamamatsu, central Japan August 22, 2006. [Reuters]

Zisis' shot from the sideline came after Greece (3-0), had come back from three points down after Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut scored six points in 30 seconds to put the Australians up with less than two minutes left.

The win advances Greece into the second round beginning on the weekend in Saitama near Tokyo. Australia is 1-2 and is not guaranteed of making the top four in Group C that would see them into the next round.

Greece led 39-34 after a tight first half, with guard Dimitris Diamantidis' 3-pointer on the buzzer _ he had 13 points in the half _ giving the Greeks a late boost.

Diamantidis finished with 20 points. Bogut led Australia with 18.

"We knew Australia was going to be tough," said Dimantidis. "We made some mistakes which cost us during the match, but in the end, we believed in ourselves."

Australian coach Brian Goorjian blamed himself for the loss, saying he should have taken a time out in the final seconds to discuss strategy.

And Goorjian said he should have done a better job of preventing an Australian player from saying something to one of the officials that resulted in a technical foul being called in the final minute.

"My team played incredibly well," said Goorjian. "I take full responsibility for what happened out there."

Australia plays Lithuania, 1-2, on Wednesday while Greece plays Brazil.