Serbia and Montenegro - Turkey 80-76

Boras, SWEDEN, September 8 (AP) - Defending champion Serbia and Montenegro advanced to the quarterfinals of the European Championships with an 80-76 victory Monday over Turkey, despite losing Peja Stojakovic to an ankle injury in the first quarter.

Marko Jaric of the Los Angeles Clippers had 18 points for Serbia and Montenegro, which finished preliminary play with a 1-2 record and needed the win to stay alive.

Russia, Italy and Israel also moved on to the quarterfinals, which begin Wednesday. France, Spain, Lithuania and Greece have already qualified for the quarters.

The top three finishers qualify for next year's Olympics in Athens. Serbia and Montenergo, as the defending world champions, and Greece, the host nation, have earned automatic berths.

Stojakovic, one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, was injured when he lost his balance and fell.

The Sacramento Kings guard, who scored 10 points, never returned, spending the rest of the game on the bench with his left ankle packed in ice.

His status for the quarterfinals was not immediately known.

Milan Gurovic added 16 points for Serbia and Montenegro, while Predrag Drobnjak of the Seattle SuperSonics had 12.

"Both teams felt a lot of pressure," Serbia coach Dusko Vujosevic said. "There was a lot of emotion and nerves involved, like it usually is in big championships. Our team showed good character."

Mehmet Okur of the Detroit Pistons led Turkey with 20 points.

Russia beat Croatia 81-77 behind 29 points by Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko.

Israel beat Slovenia 78-76 and Italy eliminated Germany 86-84.

The quarterfinals, to be played in Stockholm, will pit Serbia and Montenegro against Lithuania; Russia against France; Israel against Spain; and Italy against Greece.