Russia will meet hosts Spain in Sunday's European championship final after beating Lithuania 86-74 in the semi-final.

Russia led throughout their semi-final, with Lithuania only levelling the scores once midway through the third quarter, as Andrei Kirilenko sank 29 points and collected eight rebounds.

Jon Robert Holden contributed 18 points and Victor Khryapa 15.

Lithuania guard Ramunas Siskauskas was a lonely figure in his attempts to haul back Russia's lead, which stretched to 19 points in the second quarter, as he scored a game-high 30 points.

Only Rimantas Kaukenas managed to hit double figures to support him, with 12.

"We thought they would be mentally and physically tired after their quarter-final last night, and like a boxer decided to hit them hard, early," Russia coach David Blatt said.

"We knew they'd come back but knew they would have less. We took them to 15 rounds and beat them."

Lithuania coach Ramunas Butautas added: "The first half was terrible for us. Russia played faster and cleverer and we were slow. In the middle we had a chance, but it was not enough to win."

Croatia play Germany in the playoff for fifth place while Slovenia face France in the battle for seventh on Sunday.

On top of the two automatic Olympic places available, the next best four sides enter a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament next July.

Reuters