TBILISI (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers) - A Qualifiers-best-to-date 9,000 Georgian faithful packed out the Tbilisi Sports Palace on Wednesday evening, but were perhaps not ready for the cruel Shakespearean twist.

Montenegrin big man Nikola Vucevic has been a revelation since returning to Montenegro colours this summer and now has his team on the verge of going back to a Final Round for the first time since 2013, the previous time he donned the red and yellow of his nation.

In front of the biggest crowd in the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers thus far, Wednesday's clash between the undefeated sides was always billed as clash between Vucevic and fellow NBA center Zaza Pachulia. And that is exactly how it panned out.

It was the big men leading their respective teams, Pachulia putting the crowd into raptures with an "and-1" play that saw Georgia go ahead 70-68 with 2:28 to play, taking his tally for the night to 22 points. However, his heroics would be slightly tarnished moments later when he fouled out, leaving the gate open for Montenegro.

Vucevic then cruelly inserted the dagger at the other end, nailing a three to put Montenegro back in front, where they would remain, eventually taking the game 76-74.

His stats made for insatiable reading for Montenegro and Magic fans alike, finishing with team highs of 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists.

Montenegro improve to 3-0, whilst Georgia remain a respectable 2-1 with two games remaining. 

FIBA