MUNICH (Germany) - Austria and Romania both booked their tickets to the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers Second Round as action in the First Round resumed with four games on Thursday.

Home comforts were the theme of the day as all four hosts won, including Cyprus taking the scalp of Switzerland to end their losing run, with Denmark also victorious.

Romania were the first team to make it through as they maintained their unbeaten record after overcoming Luxembourg for a 78-67 success. Rolland Torok top scored with 21 points in his role off the bench as the hosts overcame a combined 54 points from Clancy Rugg and Alex Laurent to take the win, and advance.

"We were expecting that will a tough game against Luxembourg, but we managed to win in front of a wonderful audience, which pushed us to victory," said Torok. "They helped us a lot, especially in the difficult moments, when the team really needed their support.

"Even if we've qualified already, consider that we still have a lot of work to do. I think, also, that we will build a strong national team, step by step, in the next years."

Austria were next to follow suit as they eased their way to a 92-66 win at home to Ireland behind a balanced team performance to secure they will advance, at the very least, as the best-ranked second-placed team in the First Round. 

The Austrians of course have also taken the inside lane from Switzerland in the race for top spot in Group A. Five players were in double figures in scoring with Jakob Poeltl finishing with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, along with 4 assists in the win.

Meanwhile, FIBA EuroBasket 2025 co-hosts Cyprus have created a huge hurdle in  Switzerland's bid to get there with a 71-63 triumph to claim their first win. 

Cyprus led by as many as 13 points early in the fourth and held on to take the victory as Switzerland now head into their final game with their fate undecided as they take on Ireland to decide second spot in the group.

Denmark set up a showdown with Norway on Sunday for top spot in Group C after a dominant display to dispatch Kosovo in a 105-71 victory. Kevin Larsen led the way with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists off the bench as five players reached double figures in scoring for the hosts, who improved to 2-1.

Dardan Berisha and Drilon Hajrizi both netted 17 points apiece for Kosovo as they gave up 59 second half points with their hopes of a top-two finish ending in defeat. They will now re-enter the competition in the Third Round for a final chance to make it through to the Qualifiers.

The First Round concludes on Sunday with the final four games taking place including Norway against Denmark to decide top spot in Group C.

FIBA