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.

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 carrying a groin strain to provide a game-high seven assists.

France, the 2005 bronze medallists, trailed from the beginning of the second quarter, and had forward Florent Pietrus as top scorer with 13 points and six rebounds.

"Lithuania are the best team we have played. They were very strong, very aggressive. They are big, they all know how to shoot, and how to play together. We just weren't ready to play," France coach Claude Bergeaud said.

In the late game, 2005 silver medallists Germany were humbled 77-47 by the tournament's other unbeaten side Slovenia.

Played in a passionless atmosphere, Germany were quickly chasing the game as they were hammered in the first quarter, and there was no way back.

Dirk Nowitzki did his best to inspire Germany, the only player in his side to hit double figures with 16 points.

Forward Matjaz Smodis was Slovenia's top scorer with 22 points and five rebounds

In Group F, Slovenia, Lithuania and France (first, second and third) are all through to the quarters, leaving Italy, fourth, to scrap it out with Germany, fifth, and bottom-placed Turkey in the last round of games.

On Wednesday, Germany play Italy, France meet Turkey and Lithuania take on Slovenia.

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, sending it to extra time.

Marco Belinelli steered Italy home scoring all his 17 points after half-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.

Reuters