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LJUBLJANA, Slovenia -- Croatia reached the semifinals of the European basketball championship for the first time in 18 years by defeating Ukraine 84-72 Thursday. Tom Rathman 49ers Jersey . Croatia will play Lithuania, which edged Italy 81-77. France and two-time defending champion Spain will play the other semifinal on Friday. Croatia has won eight straight games since losing its opening game of the tournament to Spain by 28 points. "Its a long time since weve been in the semifinals. That was the first target for this young, talented generation, but this story is too beautiful to stop here," Croatia coach Jasmin Repesa said. "Honestly, we expected to be in the semis, we have quality and a system." Croatia is seeking to make the podium for the first time since it took bronze at the 1995 tournament in Greece, where it fell to Lithuania in the semifinals. The only time Croatia played in a final was at the 1992 Olympics, when it lost to the U.S. Dream Team. Dontaye Draper, Croatias American-born point guard, had two steals and six points in a key 13-0 run at the start of the second quarter, when Ukraine failed to score in five minutes and had three turnovers while missing five straight 3-point attempts. "I looked at my teammates and I heard them say, Ajde, and I just tried to get some energy, to get something going, even a foul, anything," said Draper, who finished with six assists and four steals to go with six points. Ajde is Croatian for "come on." Croatia used relentless zone pressing to lead by as many as 19. "The second quarter was our demise, we lost control of the game then," Ukraine coach Mike Fratello said. "We gave the ball away 17 times and you cant do that against a team like this." Shooting guard Krunoslav Simon led Croatia with 23 points, while Pooh Jeter, another American-born point guard, had 19 points, six rebounds and six assists for Ukraine, which was in the quarterfinals for the first time. "We were completely lost in the second quarter," said Viacheslav Kravtsov, Ukraines NBA centre. Lithuania won the European title in 2003 and was bronze medallist at the 2010 worlds. But it has not made the podium in Europe since the 2007 bronze and lost in the quarterfinals at home two years ago. Lithuania had a big size advantage over Italy and it was centre Donatas Motiejunas who had a pair of important consecutive layups in the fourth. Since winning a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics, Italy has not been able to reach the quarterfinals in any major competition. It failed to qualify for the last two Olympics and last world championship. "They destroyed us in the low post at the start of the fourth, they have too much size. When you are tired they can use the size for easy baskets," Italy coach Simone Pianigiani said. Earlier, Slovenia earned a place in next years World Cup by beating Serbia 92-74. Slovenia will play for fifth place and Serbia for seventh on Saturday. Ukraine and Italy will decide on Friday which of them will meet Slovenia. Seventh place will earn a spot at the World Cup because host Spain is a direct qualifier and already in the European semifinals. Patrick Willis 49ers Jersey .Stanton suffered fractures in his face and other injuries when he was hit by a pitch Sept. 11. The Marlins are confident hell fully recover and be ready for spring training, and they hope to reach a long-term agreement with him. Terrell Owens 49ers Jersey . Acclaimed by world football leaders but held in contempt by many football fans. Blatter should arrive at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo to watch host Brazil play Croatia confident that this tournament -- his fifth as president -- wont be his last leading the worlds favourite sport. http://www.thesf49ersshoponline.com/Youth-Steve-Young-49ers-Jersey/ . -- Conor Casey scored two goals, his first of the season, as the Philadelphia Union beat Chivas USA 3-0 on Saturday night.SANTA CLARA, Calif. - San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh took exception to the response toward quarterback Colin Kaepernick following his somewhat brief media session on Wednesday.Its sad, really, because you dont know Kap, Harbaugh said Friday. You get the honest person with him. If hes not chatty; he wont be chatty. He has a single-mindedness about him that I respect.Kaepernicks weekly session included one-sentence responses, which included a nod of the head, to 30 of the 32 questions asked. The other two answers were two sentences long.National sports shows picked up the interview, poking fun at the brevity. Harbaugh did not appreciate Kaepernick being used as fodder.Hes very professional. He never dodges or deflects criticism, Harbaugh said. He takes accountability. Hes honest. He tells the truth. His jaw is set. Hes a team player all the way. You can only do your best, and if thats not appreciated, you still do your best.Kaepernick was the target of criticism involving his being the face of the franchise, and that someone of his stature needed to explain his positions.Harbaugh thinks otherwise.Hes a great leader by example, the coach said. Whats in his heart is about the team and not about himself. Hes doing everything I expect and I appreciate that.The 49ers are getting ready for a stretch run they hope will lead to a playoff spot, beginning with Sundays game at the Oakland Raiders (1-11), the leagues worst team.We all still think were rolling, Harbaugh said. The guys had a great week of practice. Were preparing ourselves for this big game.San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis, hampered by back spasms and an ankle problem most of the year, isnt looking at stats or lack of production. Hes trying to keep things positive and moving forward.I stay in my lane and leave it up to the coaches, Davis saaid. Frank Gore Youth Jersey. To help the team game after game, I would love that. As a competitor and contributor, Id love to get my hands on the ball. Right now, I just want to win. I want to do my job.Davis is on pace for 31 receptions and 280 yards, which would be the worst year of his career since a rookie season in which he had 20 receptions in 10 games. His longest play of the year is the 29-yard touchdown pass he caught during the 49ers opening win over Dallas, and the 44 yards receiving that game is a season high.It can be any number of teams, Davis said. It could be how teams are playing me. I dont know what it is.Davis said he doesnt plead his case to the coaching staff or Kaepernick.As far as me demanding the ball, I just cant do it, Davis said. I dont want to add any stress. Any time you lose, guys are going to be upset, they are going to be frustrated. As far as this week, guys are motivated.Harbaugh said Davis continues to work through things.He had a tremendous week of practice, Harbaugh said. Hes done a tremendous job of blocking.49ers offensive lineman Joe Staley said the team anticipates having success for the rest of the season.There are no excuses for past performances, he said. Were trying to move on. If we win the next four games well be in the playoffs, and I honestly believe we will.NOTES: T Anthony Davis (concussion), DT Glenn Dorsey (forearm) and TE Vance McDonald (back) were declared out for the game. CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring) and S Raymond Ventrone (groin) are questionable. ... The 49ers are playing in Oakland during the regular season for the second time since 1979. ... San Francisco has won 11 of its last 14 regular-season games against AFC opponents. . The 49ers are also 11-3 in December under Harbaugh.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '