Top favorite Serbia around NBA superstar Nikola Jokic was surprisingly eliminated in the round of 16 at the European Basketball Championship in Berlin.

Despite 32 points and 13 rebounds, the 2017 European Championship runner-up was beaten by center Jokic Italy 86:94 (51:45).

In the preliminary round, Serbia had lined up five sovereign victories and thus underpinned its status as the biggest contender for gold.

The Serbs trained by Svetislav Pesic were considered deep and varied.

Added to this was the big plus Jokic, who was voted the NBA's most valuable player last season.

But in the second half, nothing at all wanted to work against the Italians, who had finished fourth in their preliminary round group.

Marco Spissu (22 points) and former Bamberg-based Nicolo Melli (21) helped the underdog win.

Trainer jumps into Star's arms

The joy of the Italians about the coup was also felt by Greece's superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The 27-year-old NBA professional was on his way to the basketball cabin before the European Championship round of 16 against the Czech Republic and was wearing huge headphones when Italy's head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco ran towards him at great speed and jumped into his arms without warning .

Pozzecco had previously been sent off in his team's round of 16 against Serbia and initially had to celebrate his team's unexpected victory in the catacombs.

In the final seconds of the game, the coach tried to make his way to his team but was held back by security personnel.

Italy's victory over gold favorite Serbia is considered one of the biggest surprises of the European Championship so far.

Finland, led by the outstanding Lauri Markkanen, had previously reached the quarterfinals of the European Championship for the first time in 55 years.

The NBA professional from the Cleveland Cavaliers scored 43 points for his team in the surprising 94:86 of the Finns in the round of 16 against Croatia on Sunday in Berlin.

Never before had a Finn scored more points in an international match.

Markkanen and Co. are now dealing with Spain on Tuesday (5:15 p.m. at MagentaSport).

Ukraine, on the other hand, missed the leap into the quarterfinals.

The Ukrainians had to admit defeat to Poland in the round of 16 with 86:94.

Point Guard AJ Slaughter with 24 points guaranteed victory for the Poles.

The Poles will now meet defending champion Slovenia with NBA star Luka Doncic on Wednesday (8.30 p.m. at MagentaSport).