ISTANBUL- Brazil beat Iran in the opener of the 2010 FIBA World Championship on Sunday night.

The two-time world champion defeated Iran 81- 65 at the Abdi Ipekci Arena in Istanbul, Turkey.
Guilherme Giovannoni scored 17 points for Brazil. Center Hamed Haddadi of the Memphis Grizzlies had 16 points for Iran.
“Iran had a good performance against powerful Brazil. My boys did their best against Brazil. I am satisfied with the way they played,” Veselin Matic said.
In Group B's other action Saturday, Slovenia defeated Tunisia 80-56 and the U.S. pounded Croatia 106-78.
Iran is scheduled to play Croatia on Sunday while the U.S will face Slovenia and Brazil plays Tunisia.
The winner of the 2010 FIBA World Championship automatically earns a berth in the 2012 London Olympics.
The 2010 FIBA (International Basketball Federation) World Championship for Men started on August 28 and runs to September 12 in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Kayseri, Turkey. Twenty-four teams are competing in the championship. The teams are divided into four preliminary groups consisting of six teams each