MUNICH (Germany) - The Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers tip off with the fourth window from August 27-31.
The 24 teams still alive will be battling for one of the 12 spots in next summer's big event in Qatar with those berths to be decided over the next three windows.
Here are eight games basketball fans cannot miss over the four days of action across the continent.
Finland vs Sweden
Date: August 27 - 17:30 CET - Veikkaus Arena, Helsinki (FIN)
Finland will have the great support of the home Susijengi fans at the Veikkaus Arena, where 12,489 spectators watched their team's win over Lithuania in July in Helsinski. The hosts have won four of the five games over neighbors Sweden since 1999 and hold a 4-2 record in Group L, while the Swedes are 3-3.
However, Finland cannot take the Swedes lightly as they stormed into the Second Round with three straight victories after a 0-3 start to qualification.
Croatia vs Latvia
Date: August 27 - 20:00 CET - Dvorana Kresimir Cosic, Zadar (CRO)
Croatia enter the Second Round tied for second in Group K with a 5-1 record with World and European champions Germany. The Croatians are also hungry to get back to the FIBA World Cup after missing the last two editions. Latvia face an uphill battle to get back to the global event as they have a 3-3 record.
A win in Zadar would go a long way in getting Latvia headed back in the right direction, but Croatia look strong again with the likes of Mario Hezonja, Dario Saric and Ivica Zubac suiting up.
France vs Slovenia
Date: August 27 - 20:30 CET - Bercy Arena, Paris (FRA)
France top Group L with a 5-1 record going into the Second Round but they face a major test to start the fourth window in a Slovenia team that has a 3-3 record just like three other teams in the group. With that said, they are set to welcome back Victor Wembanyama into their lineup, and that boost goes without saying.
These two teams also have history as France beat Slovenia at FIBA EuroBasket 2025, and also won by a single point in the Semi-Finals of the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, thanks to Nicolas Batum's last second block.
Georgia vs Montenegro
Date: August 28 - 17:30 CET - Otar Korkia and Nodar Jorjikia Tbilisi Sports Palace, Tbilisi (GEO)
Georgia may have handed Spain their only loss of the qualifying campaign but they are ranked last in Group I with a 3-3 mark. Still, just one victory separates them from a tie for second place, which is where Montenegro find themselves at 4-2.
The home side know they can ill afford to lose their home games in such a tight group, making their fourth window opener essentially a must-win game.
Türkiye vs Lithuania
Date: August 28 - 20:00 CET - Turkcell Basketball Development Centre, Istanbul (TUR)
Türkiye enter the Second Round as one of only two Europeans still undefeated - the other being Group K leaders Poland - and have excellent chances of qualifying for Qatar. Things don't look as good in Group J for Lithuania, who are 3-3 behind Italy (5-1 and two wins over Lithuania from the First Round) and Serbia (4-2).
A win in Istanbul would help the Lithuanians' cause. For as big as these nations are, they haven't met since the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 Quarter-Finals - a 12-point win for Lithuania, while Türkiye's last win dates back to the Group Phase at FIBA EuroBasket 2009.
Poland vs Germany
Date: August 30 - 14:45 CET - ERGO Arena, Gdansk (POL)
The undefeated leaders in Group K are not the reigning World and European champions Germany, but 6-0 Poland, who host the Germans early Sunday afternoon. However, they are close behind at 5-1 and are expected to have a strong roster for the upcoming window.
Poland are hungry to get back to the FIBA Basketball World Cup after missing out on 2023. And, the last meeting between these teams was Germany's win in the Third Place Game at FIBA EuroBasket 2022, while Poland last beat Germany in the Qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup.
Greece vs Spain
Date: August 31- 18:00 CET - Telekom Center Athens, Athens (GRE)
Greece start their Second Round coming off a nightmare third window in July as they lost at Romania and at home against Portugal. They currently sit in fifth place in Group I at 3-3, but second placed Ukraine hold a 4-2 record. Next up for the Greeks are 5-1 group leaders Spain in Athens.
While it might be too early to call this a must-win for Greece, things could get really tight if they lose. On top of that, Spain will have revenge on their mind after losing to Greece in the Group Phase of FIBA EuroBasket 2025. That was Greece's first win over the Spanish since 2013.
Italy vs Serbia
Date: August 31 - 19:30 CET - Vitrifrigo Arena, Pesaro (ITA)
Sitting behind undefeated Group J leaders Türkiye are Italy (5-1) and Serbia (4-2) while Lithuania (3-3) are a game back of the Serbians. Italy already beat Lithuania twice in the First Round so a home victory over Serbia would go a long way to getting them into the FIBA World Cup early in the Second Round.
Italy have also had Serbia's number of late, winning the last three matchups since 2021, and will look to find a way to overcome Nikola Jokic and co. once more.
FIBA