Huge crowds energize third window's big games
MIES (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers) – Passionate fans have supported their national teams with gusto during the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers.
Intense on-court action has been mirrored by frenetic fandom in games across the continents during the opening two days. At Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Zouk Mikael, it was bedlam with more than 7,500 fans enjoying Lebanon’s thrilling 77-76 win over Jordan on Thursday.
In more memorable spectacles in Asia, a crowd of over 6,000 made plenty of noise inside Chiba Port Arena and willed Japan to a momentous upset over powerhouse Australia with the hosts clinging on for a 79-78 upset victory on Friday. More than 7,000 fans at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium tried to inspire their team but Chinese Taipei fell well short of the Philippines.
In Africa, a sold out crowd at the Stadium Marius N’Diaye in Dakar celebrated Senegal’s 91-82 win over CAF.
In Europe, an energized crowd of 8,070 inside Ankara Arena saw a Cedi Osman-inspired Turkey book a ticket to the second round with a convincing win over Ukraine. Even though Georgia suffered a sizeable defeat to Serbia, a hearty crowd of 8,700 never wavered in Tbilisi and it was another large turnout following strong support in the first window.
Star Dennis Schroder dazzled in front of 6,741 fans in Volkswagen Halle as Germany accounted for neighbours Austria in Braunschweig.
In the Americas, San Juan was a frenzy with a crowd of over 4,500 watching Argentina easily defeat Panama, while 8,473 fans roared in delight with Puerto Rico’s tight win over Cuba at Coliseo Roberto Clemente.
It was a cauldron of an atmosphere inside the Gimnasio Juan de la Barrera in Mexico City as Mexico stunned world number one USA with a first quarter blitz before prevailing 78-70 in a titanic upset.
As we’ve already seen, passionate fan bases have stolen the show in the third window and the fandom is set to continue during the final two days of action highlighted by an expected record crowd of the qualifiers to watch Philippines play Australia at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena in Bulacan. .
FIBA
