MUNICH (FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers) – Austria, Belgium, Denmark and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will all put their undefeated records on the line in the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers on Sunday.

However, only the Dario Gjergja-coached Belgian Lions have the ultimate prize within reach. Having won both of their games in Group C, they could become the first team to clinch a spot in the Qualifiers with a positive result against Portugal.

But you can rest assured, entering Sunday's action in do-or-die mode, the likes of Belarus, Cyprus, Kosovo and Portugal will not make it easy for the front-runners to get their way.

Group A: Denmark (2-0) v Belarus (0-2)

Time: 20:00 CET, Sunday
Follow this game because: It's now or never for Belarus in Group A, as a defeat in Naestved would mathematically eliminate them from the race for the top spot in the standings.
Key matchup: Gabriel Lundberg will get all the touches he can handle for Denmark. If Vitali Liutych, a DNP against Sweden, is unable to go, the scoring load will once again rest on the shoulders of Devon Saddler, who had 13 points and 8 assists on Thursday.
Fact of the game: No one has accumulated more wins than Denmark in the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers, having won all four of their First Round fixtures and a couple more to begin the Second Round.
The 'insider' prediction: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Denmark get the nod here after Belarus used up their credit of trust with a disappointing 28-point defeat against Sweden.

Group B: MKD (2-0) v Kosovo (0-2)

Time: 17:45 CET, Sunday
Follow this game because: Expect a heated atmosphere in the regional rivalry, which doubles as a must-win game for Kosovo. Mathematically speaking, a win does not guarantee safety for Romania, though they would be hard to catch if they were to improve to 3-0.
Key matchup: Dardan Berisha had himself a feast in the first contest against MKD back in September, collecting 32 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Meanwhile, having had a game to forget for the other side, Vojdan Stojanovski will be looking to bounce back after going 2-of-13 the first time around.
Fact of the game: The teams also faced each other in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Pre-Qualifiers, splitting a game each. However, Kosovo finished higher in the standings and progressed to the next stage.
The 'insider' prediction: The reverse fixture in Prishtina was a one-possession affair, but MKD will be the strong favorites in this one and it would be difficult to argue otherwise.

Group C: Portugal (1-1) v Belgium (2-0)

Time: 18:00 CET, Sunday
Follow this game because: Belgium could become the first Pre-Qualifiers side to earn a spot in the Qualifiers proper if they move their marker to 3-0 in Group C with a win over Portugal. That feels like enough of a reason, right?
Key matchup: If there is one player they would like to keep quiet on Sunday, it's the experienced guard Sam Van Rossom, who went off for 17 points and 4 assists in a 79-66 win over Iceland. From the looks of it, the Portuguese backcourt will have to tackle the difficult task by committee.
Fact of the game: Portugal have failed to qualify for the FIBA EuroBasket since their last appearance in 2011. Meanwhile, Belgium have taken part in the past four editions of the tournament.
The 'insider' prediction: The recent track record of the Belgian Lions speaks for itself. Even playing on the road in Albufeira, they have to be considered the favorites.

Group D: Cyprus (0-1) v Austria (2-0)

Time: 15:00 CET, Sunday
Follow this game because: If you haven't seen a player go for 40 points in a half, check out Sylven Landesberg's national team debut or circle Austria's next game on your calendar, hoping he can replicate it against Cyprus on Sunday.
Key matchup: Nikos Stylianou, a fine defensive player, will have his hands full trying to contain Austria's newfound go-to scorer in Landesberg, who collected 47 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and a pair steals against Great Britain just a couple of days ago.
Fact of the game: The Pre-Qualifiers action in Nicosia won't end with the game against Austria on Sunday, with Cyprus hosting the other Group D side Great Britain on the second night of a back-to-back.
The 'insider' prediction: The Austria hype is real, but just don't expect it to be a walkover. An extra prediction, the boldest one we have ever made: Cyprus will keep Landesberg under 47 points.

FIBA