ALLAN THE MAN

France will have a chance for revenge of the EuroBasket 2011 final as they knocked off hosts Slovenia 72-62 to reach the semi-finals of EuroBasket 2013.

Tony Parker scored 27 points to lead the way for France, who also booked a spot in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup with the victory.

Nicolas Batum was all over the place for Les Bleus with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Boris Diaw was also a huge factor with 10 points and six rebounds.

"It was a really tough game for us, certainly the toughest game we played thus far," said Diaw.

"The second half was more of a mental game. It was tougher than it looked to stay ahead. I'm proud of the players to stay mentally strong. That led us to win this game."

France coach Vincent Collet said a major factor was his players' history of playing in big games.

"We could see in the game before (Spain vs. Serbia) that experience is a very important part in this game. We used it in this game," said Collet.

France will get another chance at Spain in the semi-finals on Friday in a re-match of the EuroBasket 2011 final, which Spain won 98-85.

Slovenia were paced by Goran Dragic with 18 points and six assists. Zoran Dragic added 12 points andBostjan Nachbar chipped in 10 points.

"Tony was amazing," Goran Dragic said about Parker.

"One of the best point guards in the European Championship and the world. We didn't play smart enough."

Slovenia, who started the game with Edo Muric in place of Nebojsa Joksimovic, tried to push the ball whenever they could in the early going with France unable to stop Zoran and Goran Dragic, who combined for 10 points in giving Slovenia a 10-7 lead. Parker would eventually knot the game at 10 before Jaka Blazicmade it 12-10 after one quarter.

France, who came into the game as the number one offence in the tournament, were happy to still be close after hitting just two of 14 two-point shots (14%) in the first quarter.

France's offence improved in the second quarter and they pulled ahead 20-16. Zoran Dragic converted a three-point play and then Nachbar nailed a triple and long jumper to put Slovenia back ahead. Parker's jumper gave France the lead 26-24 at the break.

France used a 10-0 run early in the third quarter to take a 10-point lead - 36-26. Nachbar and Blazic nailed long balls to get Slovenia within 42-39. Parker would tally six consecutive points and give France a 50-42 lead.

Domen Lorbek's three-pointer at the buzzer made it 50-45 with 10 minutes to play.

Lorbek closed the gap to 52-49 but France went on a 7-0 run to re-establish the 10-point margin once again at 59-49.

Goran Dragic would bring the hosts as close as four points - 61-57 - but Mickael Gelabale made a big basket and France did a solid job hitting their free throws down the stretch and not turning the ball over.

The game was decided for good with Parker's free throw with 41 seconds left made it 70-60.

Slovenia will face Serbia Thursday afternoon in the 5-8 classification round with the winner of that game claiming an automatic berth at the 2014 World Cup.

FRANCE vs SLOVENIA GAME HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO.

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