MUNICH (Germany) - The First Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers comes to a close in the third window from July 2-6.
There are still 14 spots in the Second Round up for grabs as 10 nations have already booked their tickets to the next stage.
Here are 10 games basketball fans should focus on over the four days of action across the continent.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Türkiye
Date: July 2 - 20:00 CET - Arena "Husejin Smajlovic", Zenica (BIH)
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Türkiye both have already locked up top-three spots in Group C. The Balkan side, which enters the game with a 2-2 mark, would love to hand Türkiye their first loss of the campaign and will have great crowd support in Zenica. Bosnia and Herzegovina have never beaten the Turks, and the teams' matchup in the first window was the first encounter since 2004.
Last time they met: Türkiye 93-71 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iceland vs Italy
Date: July 2 - 21:45 CET - Laugardalshöll, Reykjavik (ISL)
Italy top Group D with a 3-1 record, while Iceland have a 2-2 mark. Iceland actually beat Italy on the road in the first window last November and they have become kind of a feared opponent for the Italians as the teams have split the six previous games. Iceland also grabbed a road victory over Italy in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers and will be looking to make it three straight victories.
Last time they met: Italy 76-81 Iceland
Sweden vs Czechia
Date: July 3 - 19:00 CET - Hovet, Stockholm (SWE)
Sweden managed to get to the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers, and they know a home win over Czechia would improve those chances. The Swedes stand 1-3 in Group H, while the Czechs are 2-2 along with 2-2 Estonia and Slovenia are 3-1. Sweden lost in Czechia last November by 17 points and are still waiting for their first win over the Czechs with a 0-6 all-time record.
Last time they met: Czechia 97-80 Sweden
Netherlands vs Latvia
Date: July 3 - 19:30 CET - Topsportcentrum, Almere Stad (NED)
Latvia were the darlings of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers but they sit third in the standings in Group F with a 1-3 record. That includes a shocking home loss in the first game of the first window against Netherlands, who have a 2-2 record behind undefeated group leaders Poland. That was the Netherlands' first win over Latvia and the country is hoping to advance from the First Round for the third straight Qualifiers.
Last time they met: Latvia 78-86 Netherlands
Georgia vs Spain
Date: July 5 - 17:30 CET - Otar Korkia and Nodar Jorjikia Tbilisi Sports Palace, Tbilisi (GEO)
Georgia and Spain both have locked up spots in the Second Round of the Qualifiers but the Spanish will probably still have revenge on their minds. Georgia last summer helped eliminate Spain in the group stage of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 - a Spanish team which was the reigning European champion. Spain punished the Georgians in the November 2025 window with a 29-point home win and came into the window leading Group A with a 4-0 record while Georgia were 2-2. The EuroBasket win was not Georgia's only recent victory over Spain as they knocked off the Spanish at home in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers.
Last time they met: Spain 90-61 Georgia
Greece vs Portugal
Date: July 5 - 18:30 CET - SUNEL Arena, Athens, (GRE)
Greece entered the window atop Group B with a 3-1 record but will have played at Romania ahead of the home game against Portugal, who were 2-2. The Portuguese for their part will have played a crucial home game against Montenegro as both teams had even records. Portugal hope to make it the Second Round for the first time after going winless in the 2023 Qualifiers. Greece have never lost in four previous games against Portugal.
Last time they met: Portugal 68-76 Greece
Italy vs Lithuania
Date: July 5 - 20:00 CET - Virtus Arena, Bologna (ITA)
Italy started the window atop Group D with a 3-1 record while Lithuania were 2-2. The Italians know they can beat Lithuania as they got a Nico Mannion layup with 7.5 seconds to go for a one-point win in Klaipeda last November. Depending on how the first results of the window go - Italy playing at Iceland (2-2) and Lithuania hosting Great Britain (1-3) - this encounter in Bologna could see one of these teams needing a victory to advance.
Last time they met: Lithuania 81-82 Italy
Serbia vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Date: July 6 - 20:00 CET - Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, Belgade (SRB)
Serbia enter the window still looking for qualification to the Second Round with a 2-2 record in Group C while Bosnia and Herzegovina are already through at 2-2 along with 4-0 Türkiye. The Serbs will be playing at 0-4 Switzerland to start the window and would advance with a win, taking away some of the edge of this game. But Bosnia and Herzegovina would love to get revenge after losing by just two points at home last November.
Last time they met: Bosnia and Herzegovina 72-74 Serbia
Croatia vs Israel
Date: July 6 - 20:00 CET - Sports Hall "Gradski Vrt", Osijek (CRO)
Both Croatia and Israel are already qualified for the Second Round as they entered the window with 3-1 and 2-2 records, respectively, in Group E. Croatia will be playing at winless Cyprus in the first game while Israel are the home team against 3-1 Germany. Croatia have the inside track on taking the tiebreaker against Israel as well as they won the first matchup on the road in the first window by 14 points.
Last time they met: Israel 71-85 Croatia
France vs Finland
Date: July 6 - 20:30 CET - Palais des Sports de Pau, Pau (FRA)
First place in Group G could be up for grabs in this matchup as both hosts France and Finland have 3-1 records entering the window - and locked up spots in the Second Round. France open the window at desperate and winless Belgium while Finland host 2-2 Hungary. The Finns actually have won the last two games against France and three of the last four including in the first window with a 7-point home win.
Last time they met: Finland 83-76 France
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