Montenegro clinch qualification with comeback win at the buzzer

MUNICH (Germany) - Montenegro advanced from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Pre-Qualifiers Second Round with a dramatic comeback victory, while North Macedonia and Sweden also recorded wins.

Igor Drobnjak beat the buzzer in a thrilling finish in Podgorica as Montenegro moved to 3-0 with an 82-80 triumph over Iceland - coming back from 14 points down.

Iceland held a double-digit advantage heading into the final quarter, but were held to just nine points in the fourth as the Group E hosts battled back to tie the game inside the final two minutes before Drobnjak's winner sparked jubilant scenes.

Sweden avenged an opening loss to Portugal as they recorded their second straight win with a 79-60 success in Matosinhos. Denzel Andersson top scored with 18 points along with 7 rebounds with Ludvig Hakanson adding 7 assists to 16 points in the win.

The Group C hosts had led 32-31 at half-time, but conceded an 11-0 run at the start of the third as Sweden dominated the second half to inflict a first loss on Portugal and join their rivals at the top on a 2-1 record.

 
Meanwhile, North Macedonia earned a 67-61 success against Switzerland as they led from start to finish with a lead as large as 17 in the Group F clash. Adem Mekikj and Bojan Trajkovski combined for 31 points to help their side take top spot in Skopje, while Switzerland dropped to 1-2.

The action continues on Tuesday as Luxembourg face Portugal, Slovakia take on Switzerland and Denmark go up against Iceland in the penultimate day of group fixtures.

FIBA