Preview: Can Bosnia and Herzegovina or Hungary pass Montenegro in Group K?
MUNICH (Germany) - A three-team race remains in Group K for the final ticket to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary hoping they can overcome Montenegro on the final stretch.
The decision could come as soon as Thursday, February 23, but the drama could spill over to Sunday.
Group K
12/18 games played
All First Round results carry over to Second Round
| GAMES | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
| 1 |  France (*) |
10 | 8 | 2 | 80.0 | 831 | 620 | 211 | 83.1 | 62 | 18 |
| 2 |  Lithuania (*) |
10 | 8 | 2 | 80.0 | 770 | 718 | 52 | 77 | 71.8 | 18 |
| 3 |  Montenegro |
10 | 6 | 4 | 60.0 | 746 | 708 | 38 | 74.6 | 70.8 | 16 |
| 4 |  BIH |
10 | 5 | 5 | 50.0 | 776 | 834 | -58 | 77.6 | 83.4 | 15 |
| 5 |  Hungary |
10 | 5 | 5 | 50.0 | 720 | 788 | -68 | 72 | 78.8 | 15 |
| 6 |  Czech Republic |
10 | 3 | 7 | 30.0 | 749 | 808 | -59 | 74.9 | 80.8 | 13 |
Thursday February 23, 2023
Lithuania v Hungary - 18:30 CET - Klaipeda, Lithuania
Czech Republic v France - 18:45 CET - Pardubice, Czech Republic
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Montenegro - 20:00 CET - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The fight for the final World Cup ticket from the group could be decided by the end of the night on February 23 if Montenegro can knock off Bosnia and Herzegovina on the road. Hungary still have chances to make the World Cup for the first time, but they would be dampened if they lose to Lithuania - not to mentioned ended altogether if Montenegro win.
Sunday February 26, 2023
France v Lithuania - 18:00 CET - Trelaze, France
Montenegro v Czech Republic - 19:00 - Podgorica, Montenegro
Hungary v Bosnia and Herzegovina - 19:00 CET - Szombathely, Hungary
Depending on the results from February 23, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary could still be playing for the World Cup. One thing certain to be decided on the Game day is first place in the group as France host Lithuania holding a 25-point victory over the Baltic side to use as a trump.
Players of note
Victor Wembanyama, Vladimir Mihailovic, Amar Gegic
The entire world will be watching France's two games to see what Victor Wembanyama does in his third and fourth caps with Les Bleus. The French will also be relying on him to get past Lithuania and lock up first place in the group.
Vladimir Mihailovic meanwhile has played in every game for Montenegro - as have Nemanja Radovic and Zoran Nikolic - and the point guard is a major reason the Balkan side is just one victory from returning to the World Cup.
Amar Gegic, for his part, also has played in all 10 games for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the wing is really excelling this season with Paris Basketball - his first season out of his native Balkan region since 2018. Gegic will need to step up his game even more if Bosnia and Herzegovina can knock off Montenegro and eventually book their first ticket to the World Cup.
Here's where Group K teams are ranked in the FIBA World Rankings, as well as in Europe:
| World rank |
Country | Europe rank |
Current points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. |  France |
2. | 715.0 |
| 8. |  Lithuania |
5. | 669.5 |
| 12. |  Czech Republic |
9. | 594.5 |
| 18. |  Montenegro |
12. | 515.6 |
| 35. |  Bosnia and Herzegovina |
20. | 337.5 |
| 39. |  Hungary |
21. | 326.5 |
FIBA
