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20 November, 2017
26 February, 2019
17 Dennis Schröder (GER), 22 Vasilije Micic (SRB)
20/07/2018
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Who had the best offense in First Round of World Cup's European Qualifiers?

MIES (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - One thing is as clear as day when it comes to the First Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers.

The dominant teams operated like well-oiled machines when they had the ball.

The best offensive teams excelled, but not always in the same way. Which were the best? We've come up with some candidates and you can cast a vote.

Serbia

It doesn't seem to matter who plays for the country that finished runners-up at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the 2016 Olympics and FIBA EuroBasket 2017. Serbia, the team that's No. 4 in the FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE, works for good shots and gets good results. It helps when they have players in the low post, too, like Miroslav Raduljica. The powerful center shot 60.9 percent (28 of 46) from the floor and 75 percent (24 of 32) at the free-throw line in his four Qualifiers appearances. Serbia's claim to fame in the First Round is that they scored more points than any other team in their six games, a total of 514. They advanced to the Second Round with 4 wins and 2 defeats.

 

Germany

Henrik Rodl's team has played with a swagger and been efficient in doing so - especially from deep. The unbeaten Germans shot a scintillating 40.4 percent (57 of 141) from 3-point range, the exact numbers of Lithuania. The two teams finished joint-first in that category. Leading the way for Germany from behind the arc was captain Robin Benzing at 45.5 percent (15 of 33). Germany 's 508 points were fourth most scored in the first Round and their 78.8 percent (115 for 146) free-throw shooting was a very impressive No. 3 overall. Crucial for Germany, too, has been the emergence of players like lightning quick guard Joshiko Saibou.

 

Lithuania

It addition to drilling 3-balls at a rate that only Germany could match (see above), undefeated Lithuania were just 2 points behind Serbia in total points scored in the First Round. The team has beaten opponents by an average of 26.7 points per contest. The team's 22.5 assists per game was No. 1 in the First Round.

Jonas Valanciunas shot 62.5 percent from the floor and averaged 13 points per game in the third window

Greece

The Greeks, whose 513 total points in the First Round were second most after Serbia's 514, survived a couple of scares by Great Britain while going unbeaten. Much of that success owed to the outstanding play of veteran Ioannis Bourousis, who averaged 21ppg on 15 of 29 shooting from the floor in his two games against the Brits. Greece ranked No. 1 in field goal percentage at 52.1 percent (173 for 332) in the First Round.

 

France

Les Bleus, winners of their six Qualifiers, ranked second in the assists category with 127 in all and that was owed largely to the sublime play of point guard Andrew Albicy and captain Boris Diaw, one of the best passing forwards in basketball for the past 15 years. Albicy had 23 helpers and Diaw 21. France also worked hard to get the good shot and ranked third in field goal percentage inside the arc at 57.3 percent (145 for 253).

 

Spain

Winners of all six games, including two against Slovenia, Spain were fifth in overall points scored in the First Round (497), sixth in 3-point percentage (38 percent, 57 for 150), joint-first with Belarus in offensive rebounds per game (12.7), joint-third with Serbia in overall assists (120) and third overall in efficiency (589.0) behind Lithuania (668.0) and Greece (614.0). Quino Colom deserves a lot of credit for his play as point guard in all six wins. He averaged team bests in points (15.0ppg) and assists (5.3apg).

 FIBA