MIES (Switzerland) - Three windows. 48 games. 16 teams.
Only 12 that went through to the Second Round of the World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
Participating countries spread across West Asia, the Gulf, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Oceania, and South Asia.
Familiar foes adding exciting new chapters to traditional rivalries, resurgent units claiming all-new turf.
The First Round of the Asian Qualifiers brought all the heat and then some.
In a clear indicator of the competition intensity, as many as five sides, including three on the final game day, needed all three windows to punch their progression tickets.
Group B - featuring Japan, Korea, China and Chinese Taipei, all winning at least two games - undoubtedly had the fiercest do-or-die battles.
But Groups A, C, and D were not devoid of their own dramas.
Here are some of the budding rivalries from the First Round, which we can continue to look forward to in future World Cup Asian Qualifiers campaigns.
Australia vs New Zealand
New Zealand and Australia are bringing their trans-Tasman beef to bear even in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Window 1 began with two absolute classics between the Boomers and Tall Blacks, with both games going right down to the wire.
Just when New Zealand thought they had the wins in the bag, Davo Hickey broke their hearts, not once but twice, with near-identical game winners.
New Zealand vs Philippines
A sure-shot cliffhanger every time these two teams collide, Tall Blacks vs Gilas brings incredible color and character with arresting storylines.
If Australia made New Zealand feel unlikely twice, the same can be said for how New Zealand frustrated the Philippines with two ‘so-near-yet-so-far’ moments.
First, a 69-66 thrilla in Manila, followed by FIBA’s ‘game of the year’: a double overtime spectacle in Auckland.
Saudi Arabia vs Qatar
80 minutes of play later, there were just 3 points separating them.
After Saudi Arabia won 86-60 in the first encounter, the reverse fixture brought Qatar their first-ever major FIBA competition win over their Gulf opponents, a 76-73 nerve-racker that elevated Qatar to second place in Group D.
Lebanon vs Qatar
Qatar’s resurgence ahead of hosting the World Cup 2027 has meant that what was once seen as a lopsided matchup is now anything but. After threatening the Cedars in the one-point opening game loss, the Qataris, led by Brandon Goodwin and Alen Hadzibegovic, finally got the historic 86-83 result in Beirut, an upset of epic proportions.
Japan vs Korea
What happens when two fast-paced, sharpshooting sides face off twice within months?
A high-speed blur with either side cancelling the other one out.
Japan prevailed in the first go-around, a 78-72 outcome, only to be followed by Korea’s win-or-go-home 81-79 verdict that sent them through to the Second Round.
Chinese Taipei vs Korea
Chinese Taipei were incredibly unlucky not to be able to continue their qualification campaign even after two wins. Both of these victories came against Korea, in no small part thanks to center Brandon Gilbeck owning the paint and keeping Korea consigned to the perimeter for vast stretches.
You can be sure that when these two East Asian crews renew their hunger games in the future, these will be especially spicy affairs.
FIBA