LILLE, France, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Holders France and former double winners Spain cruised into the European basketball championship quarter-finals with emphatic victories while Latvia also emerged as big winners on Saturday.
The three nations were joined by 1987 champions Greece who destroyed Belgium 75-54.
The opening last-16 clashes produced enthralling basketball in Lille's soccer stadium, adapted for the 24-nation tournament that doubles as an Olympic qualifier.
Roared on by a record-breaking indoor crowd of 26,135, France thrived on home support as they thumped Turkey 76-53.
A pool of talented NBA-based players made the difference with San Antonio Spurs playmaker Tony Parker pulling the strings for the French.