Germany clinch World Cup ticket with win over Finland; Slovenia and Sweden score wins
MUNICH (Germany) - Germany became the second team from Group J to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 as they beat Finland. Slovenia got closer to the show with a win and Sweden stayed alive.
MUNICH (Germany) - Germany became the second team from Group J to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 as they beat Finland. Slovenia got closer to the show with a win and Sweden stayed alive.
Germany joined Finland in reaching the World Cup with a convincing 94-80 home win over the Finns. Third placed Slovenia put the pressure on their challengers as they defeated Israel 75-62 on the road. Sweden also collected a road victory as they outlasted Estonia 87-82 to stay in the race for the World Cup.
Group J
9/18 games played
| GAMES | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
| 1 | Germany* | 9 | 8 | 1 | 88.9 | 725 | 626 | 99 | 80.6 | 69.6 | 17 |
| 2 | Finland* | 9 | 7 | 2 | 77.8 | 709 | 681 | 28 | 78.8 | 75.7 | 16 |
| 3 | Slovenia | 9 | 6 | 3 | 66.7 | 756 | 717 | 39 | 84 | 79.7 | 15 |
| 4 | Sweden | 9 | 4 | 5 | 44.4 | 711 | 726 | -15 | 79 | 80.7 | 13 |
| 5 | Israel | 9 | 3 | 6 | 33.3 | 694 | 701 | -7 | 77.1 | 77.9 | 12 |
| 6 | Estonia | 9 | 2 | 7 | 22.2 | 648 | 737 | -89 | 72 | 81.9 | 11 |
November 11, 2022
Estonia v Sweden 82-87 - Sweden - Tallinn, Estonia
Germany 94-80 Finland - Bamberg, Germany
Germany make it five of last six World Cups
Germany joined Finland in locking up a spot in the World Cup from Group J as the Germans took over first place in the group with a 94-80 win over Finland. Germany reeled off a 17-1 surge spanning the second and third quarters for a double digit lead and the cushion swelled to 17 points after three quarters. Finland tried to mount a comeback from Germany each time had an answer.
🥷 If you thought Robin Christen's defense was great, wait until you see the offense! 🎯#FIBAWC x #WinForGermany pic.twitter.com/aWzkUOJh0Q
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) November 11, 2022
Germany, who will play in the World Cup for the fifth time in the last six editions, improved to 8-1 in the group as four players scored in double figures. David Kramer and Christian Sengfelder both had 19 points, Justus Hollatz picked up 18 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals and Robin Christen chipped in 15 points. Finland saw their seven-game winning streak snapped and fell to 7-2. Alex Murphy led the way with 20 points and Edon Maxhuni scored 15 points.
Slovenia down Israel for big step towards World Cup
Slovenia took a major step to qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 as they took down Israel 75-62 in Tel Aviv. The FIBA EuroBasket 2017 champions took control of the game with an 11-0 run for a 15-point lead late in the third quarter. Israel fought to within four points but could not complete the comeback.
Being just 21-years-old doesn't stop Ziga Samar from doing damage early on 💥#FIBAWC x #WinForAll | @kzs_si 🇸🇮 pic.twitter.com/aB3CmTOFhT
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) November 11, 2022
Four of Slovenia's five starters finished in double figures, topped by Edo Muric and Miha Lapornik both with 16 points . Ziga Samar chipped in 13 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals for Slovenia, who improved to 6-3 in third place in Group J while Israel committed 24 turnovers in dropping to a 3-6 record with three games remaining. Tomer Ginat scored 12 points in the loss. Slovenia will host Germany on Monday, November 14 while Israel will play at Sweden.
Sweden keep slim hopes alive after win in Estonia
Sweden remained in the race for the World Cup as they fended off Estonia 87-83 on the road. The Swedes lost a 14-point first half lead but then reeled off nine straight points in the fourth quarter to get the win and improve to 4-5.
Ludvig Hakanson collected 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists while Tobias Borg poured in 20 points and Simon Birgander picked up 17 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Estonia dropped to 2-7 and were eliminated from contention for the World Cup despite Kristian Kullamae tallying 24 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
FIBA