VALENCIA (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - This is the season of giving, everyone, so here is my gift to those fans of national teams that started their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers campaign last month with two defeats. It's the gift of hope. February is just around the corner!

Belarus, Group A

Belarus need to come out strong against Spain on February 23

This is one situation where at 0-2, it doesn't look good at all. Belarus' best shot at advancing is to finish third ahead of the Montenegrins, yet they have already lost to them in Minsk, 91-67! Belarus must upset Spain or Slovenia in February (well, you never know) and hope that Montenegro lose both of their games. The June 28th clash with Montenegro in Podgorica would therefore effectively be do-or-die for Belarus (if Montenegro were to drop their final qualifier against Slovenia on July1). It looks bleak, yes, but it's not impossible.

Sweden, Group B

Bosnic still believes so Swedish fans should, too

The Swedes had a slow start at home against Ukraine on November 24 and fell behind by 22 points. At least Vedran Bosnic's team didn't quit. They only lost, 84-76. When they play Ukraine again on February 26, the Swedes will gun for a win of 9 points. It should help the Swedes, who also fell at Latvia, 82-73, last month, if their captain during the Pre-Qualifiers in the summer, Alexander Lindqvist, as well as sharpshooter Markus Eriksson and young center Simon Birgander, are healthy and able to play. Before a second clash with Ukraine, Bosnic's side hosts Turkey on February 23.

Kosovo, Group C

Kosovo need a lot of Lis Shoshi in their next couple of games

Kosovo hosted Lithuania on November 24 and lost, 99-61, yet that game had been knotted at half-time at 35-35. They played much better for 40 minutes on November 26 at Hungary in an 84-76 defeat. "There was one stretch in the third quarter that separated Hungary from us," Kosovo coach Brad Greenberg said. "I feel like we can play with that team." Bad stretch, indeed. David Vojvoda was fouled while attempting a 3-ball and sank all three free-throws to trigger a 15-0 Hungary run (the other 12 points came from 3-pointers). Kosovo play at Poland on February 23 and then at Lithuania on February 26. Sneak a win in Poland and they will be firmly in the hunt for a top-three finish.

Croatia, Group D

Zeljko Sakic and Croatia need to pick it up a few notches

In no way should a country of Croatia's basketball ilk fail to survive the First Round. Croatia lost 68-61 at the Netherlands on November 24 and then blew a 12-point lead at home to Italy and crashed to an 80-64 defeat. Their February 23 home clash with Romania is a must win. The Romanians fell by just 5 at Italy before beating the Dutch, 75-68, so they won't be pushovers. I expect a Croatia turnaround. They will be 2-2 - they also play the Netherlands again - after the February window.

Belgium, Group E

Belgium's Hans Vanwijn is one of the rising stars in Europe

Belgium went from leading France by 13 points at half-time in Antwerp on November 24 to losing, 70-59. Belgium also got up on Russia in their next game by 14 but lost, 76-69. All is not lost. Belgium captain Maxime De Zeeuw said: "We have a young group, young guys who just discovered this kind of level. We have to keep building. There is no time to cry." Coach Eddy Casteels summed it up best when he said: "I have to focus on making our players better, getting them experience, team chemistry, team concept, fighting spirit, tactics." It's a tough group but I think Belgium, who play at Bosnia and Herzegovina on February 23 and France on February 25, are still in it!

Iceland, Group F

Iceland need to keep the faith

Craig Pedersen's team looked like it would start Group F at 1-1 after getting on top of Bulgaria by 12 points in their second game. They paid the price, though, for letting their opponents hang around. Pavel Marinov poured in 14 of his 18 points in the last frame and Bulgaria won, 77-74. Iceland, who fell hard (89-69) at the Czech Republic in their opener (they host the Czechs on February 25) need to keep the faith. There's a long way to go, beating the Susijengi on February 23 is not mission impossible.

Austria, Group G

Rasid Mahalbasic and Austria need to step it up in February

Forget the fact that Austria lost by 41 points at home to Germany in their second qualifier. A victory over Georgia in February in a battle of 0-2 teams would lift them into third place. Georgia are a very good 0-2 team, however. Austria will also host Serbia on February 25.

Georgia, Group G

Zouros and Georgia will look to turn things around against Austria

For long stretches at Germany and Serbia in their first couple of games in November, Georgia were the equals of their opponents. They should get better with the returns of George Tsintsadze and Duda Sanadze, players that were hurt and couldn't play last month. "It's a tough game for us," Georgia coach Ilias Zouros said of Austria. "We have to be concentrated, focused and we have to react." Then will come another game against Germany. Did someone say payback? Don't be surprised if Georgia are 2-2 after the next window.

Great Britain, Group H

Britain suffered two defeats by a combined 6 points

The 0-2 Brits should could easily be 2-0, suffering three-point defeats to both Greece and Estonia. Coach Tony Garbelotto is convinced his team will be ready on February 23 against at Israel and then two days later at Greece. He said: "We lost two games that were very winnable and that has put us in a tough position at 0-2 but I know that in the next round in February we will come back stronger, we will come back better and I'm looking forward to playing Israel and Greece and subsequently in the third window, we'll be even stronger." We'll see.

Happy holidays, everyone.

Jeff Taylor
FIBA

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