OPQT's: Croatia and home court favorites Turkiye set up Final date

ISTANBUL (Turkiye) - Croatia's headline trio overwhelmed Ukraine to reach Sunday's showpiece Final, where they will meet host nation Turkiye who swept their way past Sweden.

But before we look forward what looks like a blockbuster Final, here's how the Semi-Finals action unfolded on Friday. 

Hezonja relishes starting role as Croatia hit cruise control

Unbeaten Croatia continued their trend of starting fast to burst out to a 15-4 lead. Former NBA player Mario Hezonja was successfully inserted into the starting line-up and his three-pointer led to a Ukraine timeout.  But through best player Oleksandr Kovliar's hot hand, Ukraine chipped away and reduced Croatia's lead to 42-36 at half-time. 

However, Croatia put their foot on the gas with a devastating 14-0 run after the interval as Hezonja led the way with a pretty dish to Ivica Zubac for a dunk before slamming home a reverse jam.  Ukraine didn't roll over, but never seriously threatened with Goran Filipovic hitting a dagger midway through the fourth before Croatia recorded an 85-70 victory. 

Hezonja top-scored with 22 points, while Kovliar had 20 points but shot just 6 of 17 from the field and was shut out of the contest as the game wore on.

Turkiye end Sweden's strong run

Turkiye were hot favorites against Sweden, who as the lowest ranked team in the draw had impressed in the group stages with their run and gun style. 

Sweden looked potent on offense early but could not stop Alperen Sengun, who scored 12 points in the first quarter. They allowed him space and he made them pay by hitting two three-pointers, but the Houston Rockets player also bullied to the rim for a big slam as Turkiye skipped out to an early lead. 

After being hounded by Sehmus Hazer, dynamic guard Elijah Clarance finally hit the scoreboard to rally Sweden but consecutive threes from Furkan Korkmaz snuffed out the challenge. 

Turkiye's 14-point half-time lead swelled after hitting the first 10 points of the third quarter and they finally ended Sweden's resistance.  Korkmaz scored 18 points in Turkiye's 105-84 win, while Clarance shook off a slow start to finish with 19 points. 

Top Performers

Mario Hezonja helped ignite Croatia by moving into the starting line-up and he gave them potent offense from the get go. He top-scored with 22 points on 10 of 13 from the field, including a couple of dunks. The 28-year-old also had 5 rebounds and 2 steals with an efficiency of 24.

Ivica Zubac had the highest efficiency of any player in the group stages and he continued his superb tournament by being the dominant big man on the floor. He had 10 of his 20 points in the first quarter to set the tone as he repeatedly bullied to the hoop.  Zubac also had 7 rebounds and an efficiency of 24. 

Also with an efficiency of 24 was Dario Saric, who again produced a fine all-round performance with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. He didn't have the ball as much in his hands playing alongside Hezonja more, but still had a strong contribution. 

Alagie Njie did his best against the odds to spark Sweden with 13 points and he dished out several sweet dishes in his 14 assists in total. 

Having been somewhat subdued in the group stages, Furkan Korkmaz lifted in the semi-final with several huge shots in big moments. He scored 18 points, including 3 of 6 from three-pointers, and had 5 assists. The Philadelphia 76ers guard's ability to score in isolation looms as a key in the final. 

Picture of the Day

Alperen Sengun has been electrifying all tournament and he had the home fans in raptures when he delivered a monster dunk in the first quarter.  

FIBA