The Russian national team, featuring 10 VTB United League players, advanced to the EuroBasket quarterfinals with a convincing 101-78 win over Croatia in Istanbul.
VTB United League MVP Alexey Shved led the team in scoring with 27 points, adding 12 assists, four rebounds and a 32 efficiency rating.
Russia reaches the quarterfinals for the first time since 2011, when the team finished third.
Russia next faces Greece on September 13.
Croatia 78, Russia 101 (23-25, 19-21, 15-26, 21-29)
Croatia
Bogdanovic (28), Zoric (11), Saric (13), Thomas (6), Ukic (2) – starters; Popovic (4), Ramljak (6), D. Planinic (6), Bender (2), Simon (0).
Russia
Shved (27+12 assists), Mozgov (10), D. Kulagin (14), Vorontsevich (8), Khvostov (6) – starters; Fridzon (13), Zubkov (14), Kurbanov (9), Baburin (0), Antonov (0), Ivlev (0).
