(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-09-11 04:57

MADRID - Former champions Lithuania proved they are going to take some stopping after they beat France 88-73 for their fifth successive win at the European Championship on Monday.

The 2003 gold medallists from the Baltics, backed by some of the noisiest and most colourful fans at the tournament, were led on the board by Ramunas Siskauskas with a game-high 19 points and five rebounds, and Darius Songaila with 17 and seven rebounds.

On the court, they were marshalled by guard Sarunas Jasikevicius who played despite a knee support and a groin strain to provide a game-high seven assists.

France, the 2003 bronze medallists, trailed from the beginning of the second quarter, and had forward Florent Pietrus as top scorer with 13 points and six rebounds.

In the late game, 2005 silver medallists Germany are in desperate need of a win against unbeaten Slovenia if they are to make the quarters. Group F leaders Lithuania and Slovenia are already through.

Earlier, Italy needed extra time to defeat Turkey 84-75 in a topsy-turvy encounter.

The Turks blew a 15-point lead from near the end of the first quarter as Italy tightened up in defence and attack to lead going into the fourth 58-54.

But it needed two free throws from Italy guard Massimo Bulleri to level at 70 apiece with seven seconds remaining of normal time. Marco Belinelli and Andrea Bargnani steered Italy home with 11 points between them in extra time.

Hidayet Turkolgu's game-high 34 points, four assists and six rebounds for Turkey were not enough.

"It's not the end of the world. We still have one more chance in our last game," Orlando Magic's Turkoglu said.