Andrew Bogut top scored for Australia with 18 points. He was supported by C.J. Bruton and David Barlow, who each scored 11 points.

Dimitris Diamantidis scored 20 points to lead Greece but it was Antonis Fotsis and Nikos Zisis who buried a pair of three-pointers at the end as the Boomers saw the game wrenched from their grasp.

In a pivotal Group C battle, the European champions won for the third straight game while Australia suffered their second defeat in three games.

Greece trailed 69-66 after Bruton made just one of two free throws with 19 seconds remaining.

The Greeks rushed the ball up the floor and Dimitris Diamantidis passed to a wide open Fotsis who struck from long range on the left to tie the game.

Australia inbounded to Barlow but as the 22-year-old crossed midcourt, he lost control of the ball and it fell into the hands of Diamantidis.

The Panathinaikos star dribbled, spotted Zisis on the left and passed him the ball.

With three seconds on the clock, Zisis released his shot from just outside the arc and the ball fell through the hoop.

Greece’s bench emptied onto the floor to celebrate, bringing back memories of their come-from-behind win over France last year in a EuroBasket semi-final in Belgrade, while Australia’s players were stunned.

"We expected a difficult game against Australia," Diamantidis said. "We played against them in the Stankovic Cup so we knew what they could do.

"We made some mistakes and they made us pay for them, but we have a big belief until the end."

"The players and coach of the Greek national team believe that we can try until the last second of every game," Diamantidis added.

Greece won despite turning the ball over 19 times in the game.

“All credit to Greece, they stepped up and hit the shots at the end,” said Australia captain Jason Smith.

Australia took an early 17-10 lead but Greece came back to tie the scores at the end the first period.

Greece then took the lead but Australia fought back to be within two points. A three-pointer on the half time buzzer had Greece bouncing into the main break up by five, 34-39.

Australia again rallied, taking the third period 22-16 and entered the final quarter up by one, 56-55.

A tense, low scoring fourth quarter ensued before Andrew Bogut hit a late three-pointer to spur Australia to the precipice of a stunning upset.

But the European champions responded to take out the victory.

No injuries were reported for the Boomers, who now face Lithuania on Wednesday afternoon.

AUSTRALIA 69 – Bogut 18, Bruton 11, Barlow 11, Mackinnon 10
GREECE 72 – Diamantidis 20, Papadopoulos 12, Papaloukas 11