Boxscores

NOVI SAD (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Xavi Forcada missed a three-pointer on the buzzer as Spain tasted defeat for the first time at the FIBA U19 World Championships in a 59-56 loss to Turkey.

The Spaniards eased to a comfortable victory over Canada in their first eighth-finals Group F game, but found Turkey more difficult opponents and trailed by a hefty deficit for much of the match before a late surge almost took the game into overtime.

After an even first period, Turkey pulled 12 points clear by the halfway stage, and that lead had increased to 16 going into the final 10 minutes.

But Spain found some form in the fourth quarter and outscored their opponents 19-6 thanks to seven points from Victor Claver and five apiece from Quim Colom and Forcada.

That brought the scores to 57-56 with still 1:50 on the clock, but after Mesut Kadir Cipa made a jump shot to extend Turkey's lead to three points, Spain were unable to score again as time ticked away.

Forcada was the main culprit in wasting chances, he missed a total of three shots, including that agonising last-second effort, but Calver was almost as cavalier, missing two three-pointers and a jump shot.

In a low-scoring game Dogus Balbay poured in 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Colom and Forcada top-scored for Spain with 11 each.

FIBA