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25 August, 2023
10 September
06/07/2022
News
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13,500 fans in Syria and all the huge crowds for WC Qualifiers Third Window

MIES (Switzerland) - Central Europe,  Asia, the Americas and Africa are still shaking from the incredible buzz of the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, further proof of the voracious appetite for national team hoops.

Slovenia's dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Goran Dragic especially stirred the emotions for the 13,000 spectators jammed into the Arena Stozice on June 30.

At 100% capacity, the venue was bubbling over with fan fervor as Doncic played for the senior team in a competitive game at home for the first time and Dragic end his international retirement to play before his countrymen.

On the same night in the Baltics, the Arena Riga had 10,065 spectators (90% capacity) watch in-form Latvia defeat Serbia, 66-59. Latvia won five of their six games in the First Round.

The other continents were abuzz with excitement, too.

Plenty of fans showed up in Asia (and Oceania) with Syria and Australia especially having great turnouts, while Panama City and San Juan were hubs for fan madness in the Americas.

In Aleppo, Syria, 13,500 spectators showed up at the Hamadaniyeh Stadium to watch Syria square off against Bahrain, a July 1 game won by the visitors, 76-67.

A strong crowed was also on hand for New Zealand's visit to the Philippines. A respectable 3,827 audience in the EventFinda Stadium, which accounted for 91% capacity, watched as the Tall Blacks cruised to a 106-60 victory

Meanwhile in Lebanon on July 4, 6,880 raucous supports backed the Cedars as they defeated visiting Saudi Arabia, 90-60.

Terrific encounters between hosts Venezuela and Argentina in Puerta La Cruz, and Dominican Republic and Canada, drew fans in good numbers. A stunned 4,615 crowd saw Argentina come from behind to beat the Vinotinto, 69-66, and Canada, fueled by the presence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, won 95-75, before a capacity crowd of 4,942 supporters in Hamilton, Ontario. 

There was also an impressive, 8,601-strong audience for Puerto Rico and their new bundle of eye-popping talent, Jose Alvarado, who took on the United States on July 1.

Alvarado had 20 points but it wasn't enough for the Boricuas, who fell 83-75 in the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.

The same venue was used for Puerto Rico's showdown with Mexico and this time, the fans sent home feeling satisfied after a 97-87 triumph following overtime.

In Oceania, Melbourne's John Cain Arena had crowds of 8,113 and 9.043 to watch the Boomers take on China in two games, and they left happy after Australia rolled to decisive wins in each.

The Americas lapped up the opportunity to go and watch games, including in Panama City where Facundo Campazzo and Argentina paid a visit on July 3.

After 5,345 fans showed up to watch Panama beat Paraguay on June 30, 10,000 spectators filled the Roberto Duran Arena to see Panama battle Argentina.

Panama played well for long stretches, and hard, but fell, 88-77.

A few days before that, 7,532 spectators stood and clapped for Uruguay, who took on Brazil in Montevideo's Antel Arena.

The atmosphere was terrific but Uruguay fell, 73-60.

In Greece, the EAK Neapolis in Larissa was at 92% capacity with 4,120 spectators who helped their national team blow open a close game at half-time against Great Britain and roll to a 93-71 victory.

At the Metro Arena in Finland, the roar of a 7,897-strong crowd lifted the Susijengi as they hit back from a 13-point deficit to defeat Sweden, 85-69.

The following night in Zaragoza at the Pabellon Principe Felipe, a boisterous 6,112  spectators cheered as Spain pulled away from North Macedonia, 80-44.

On July 3, the Doncic effect swept up Stockhom where Sweden took on Slovenia. The Hovet Arena crowd of 8,599 was both mesmerized by the Slovenians and also enthralled by the Swedes, who nearly sprung an upset before falling, 74-71. Even Dirk Nowitzki was on hand to witness the spectacle.

In Nis, the arena was at full capacity on July 4 with 4,800 fans for Serbia's game against Belgium, a clash the visiting Lions won, 74-73.

Tel Aviv's Shlomo Group Arena was packed to the rafters at 100% capacity on July 3 with the 3,500 spectators cheering wildly as Israel romped to a 96-77 triumph over Estonia, and 6,359 fans were in the OVB -Arena to see Germany's Dennis Schroder pour in a European Qualifiers record 38 points in a thrilling 93-83 victory over Poland.

The Tbilisi Arena rocked with 8,500 spectators on Monday as Georgia stunned defending world champions Spain in overtime, 82-76.

There were 5,115 fans (93% capacity) to see in person the Tomas Satoransky-led Czech Republic's 83-72 victory over Lithuania in Klaipeda, a result that punched the winners' ticket for the Second Round, while 4,073 flag-waving France fans (95%) cheered their national team to a resounding 81-40 triumph over Hungary.

 Africa had a 100% capacity crowd in Abidjan on July 2, when Cote d'Ivoire took on Central African Republic.

Cote d'Ivoire, who finished runners-up at FIBA AfroBasket 2021, prevailed, 73-63, as 3,562 cheered wildly.

 FIBA