MIES (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers) - Home fans turned out in their throngs as the Second Round of the FIBA Baskeball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers got underway on Thursday and their teams rewarded them by taking key wins.

A Czech Republic men's national team record 8,500 spectators were on hand at Tipsport Arena in Pardubice to see them secure a thrilling 80-78 victory over Russia and improve to 6-1 and move into a tie for first place in Group K.

"OUR FANS WERE UNBELIEVABLE. I THINK THIS IS THE BEST GAME I'VE HAD IN FRONT OF THE BEST CROWD IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, SO THIS IS SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL FOR US."- Czech Republic guard Tomas Satoransky

 Meanwhile, Greece joined Germany in becoming the second team to improve to 7-0 in Group L with a 70-63 win over Serbia in front of a sellout crowd at Heraklion Arena on the island of Crete. 

Finland made the more than 6,500 fans in attendance at Espoo Metro Arena nervous as Bosnia and Herzegovina rallied from 24 points down and threatened to steal an improbable away win, but the Susijengi held on to take an 85-81 win and improve to 4-3 in Group K.

More than 7,500 fans showed up at a sold-out Zouk Mosbeh's Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex to cheer Lebanon on to a thrilling 92-88 overtime victory in the Asian Qualifiers over World Cup hosts China in Group E, where Lebanon are 6-1.

Jordan were the only team that could not capitalize on playing  in a packed Prince Hamza Stadium in Amman as they lost against Korea, 86-75, with the two teams now holding the same 5-2 records.

Over 8,300 fans filled to capacity the Palacio de los Deportes in Santo Domingo to see the Dominican Republic defeat Chile 71-46 to capture a 5-2 record at Group F of the Americas Qualifiers.  

FIBA