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Greece defeat Germany to win second European title
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-26 10:04

BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro (AP) -- Greece beat Germany 78-62 Sunday to win its second European Championship, frustrating Dirk Nowitzki with strong defense and getting 22 points from Theodoros Papaloukas.

Greece players celebrate with trophy after winning final match of the European basketball championship in Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro September 25, 2005. Greece beat Germany 78-62 on Sunday to win their second European championship title.
Greece players celebrate with trophy after winning final match of the European basketball championship in Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro September 25, 2005. Greece beat Germany 78-62 on Sunday to win their second European championship title. [Reuters]
Nowitzki, the tournament's MVP, scored 23 points but was only 1-for-8 from 3-point range. The Dallas Mavericks star had nine rebounds but four turnovers.

Earlier, France won the bronze medal, with San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker scoring 25 points in a 98-68 victory over Spain. It was France's its first medal at the European Championship since a silver in 1959.

Greece won the title for the first time in 1987 at home and this time if felt as if it were playing at home as well. Seven planeloads of Greek fans arrived Sunday to join those already in the Serbian capital, and Belgrade Arena was awash in blue-and-white Greek colors. After the buzzer, the winners broke into "Zorba the Greek" dance.

"It was a dream final for us, we showed a great team spirit and tonight I don't think that any team in Europe could have beaten us," said Papaloukas, whose team did not include any NBA players.

In Greece, thousands of fans poured into the streets of Athens. The celebrations echoed Greece's triumph at the European soccer championship in Portugal last year. Greeks paraded down avenues draped in flags while car horns blared as fireworks lit the sky. Some fans wept; others jumped up and down as they sang the Greek national anthem.
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