Preview: A closer look at the Second Round of the European Qualifiers
MUNICH (Germany) - International basketball fans are in for a treat over the coming weeks, starting with the resumption of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers.
MUNICH (Germany) - International basketball fans are in for a treat over the coming weeks, starting with the resumption of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers.
32 teams became 24 teams heading into the Second Round and next year's major tournament moves closer into sight as the journey towards the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia continues.
There are some intriguing matchups to look forward to in the August window as the majority of teams will also progress onto FIBA EuroBasket in September.
All results from the First Round were carried over with the exception of Groups A and G. In these groups the results against the fourth-placed team did not count towards the Second Round as there were only three teams in Groups B and H.
Group I
0/18 games played
| GAMES | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
| 1 | Greece | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 310 | 287 | 23 | 77.5 | 71.8 | 7 |
| 2 | Latvia | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 300 | 288 | 12 | 75 | 72 | 7 |
| 3 | Turkey | 4 | 2 | 2 | 50.0 | 307 | 286 | 21 | 76.8 | 71.5 | 6 |
| 4 | Belgium | 4 | 2 | 2 | 50.0 | 275 | 276 | -1 | 68.8 | 69 | 6 |
| 5 | Serbia | 4 | 1 | 3 | 25.0 | 302 | 313 | -11 | 75.5 | 78.2 | 5 |
| 6 | Great Britain | 4 | 1 | 3 | 25.0 | 287 | 331 | -44 | 71.8 | 82.8 | 5 |
Thursday, August 25
Latvia v Turkey - 18:30 CET
Serbia v Greece - 20:00 CET
Belgium v Great Britain - 20:30 CET
Sunday, August 28
Great Britain v Latvia - 19:00 CET
Greece v Belgium - 19:00 CET
Turkey v Serbia - 19:00 CET
There's a blockbuster clash between Serbia and Greece to headline the Gameday 1 action as two-time NBA MVPs Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo lock horns. Serbia are in need of a good window to turn their fortunes around as they only carried one win forward after a double defeat to Belgium, while Greece could move clear in top spot.
Latvia are set to welcome back Kristaps Porzingis into the fold and their opening game at home to Turkey provides a big opportunity to strengthen their World Cup bid. The victor will be in a good position, but Turkey will not want to head into a huge clash with Serbia off the back of a defeat.
Belgium and Great Britain will both feel the importance of their meeting, particularly with tougher challenges to follow and will need to be at their best throughout the Second Round to shake off the tag as outsiders in Group I.
Group J
0/18 games played
| GAMES | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
| 1 | Germany | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83.3 | 474 | 425 | 49 | 79 | 70.8 | 11 |
| 2 | Finland | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83.3 | 474 | 446 | 28 | 79 | 74.3 | 11 |
| 3 | Slovenia | 6 | 4 | 2 | 66.7 | 506 | 482 | 24 | 84.3 | 80.3 | 10 |
| 4 | Israel | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50.0 | 476 | 452 | 24 | 79.3 | 75.3 | 9 |
| 5 | Sweden | 6 | 2 | 4 | 33.3 | 479 | 494 | -15 | 79.8 | 82.3 | 8 |
| 6 | Estonia | 6 | 2 | 4 | 33.3 | 415 | 470 | -55 | 69.2 | 78.3 | 8 |
Thursday, August 25
Finland v Israel - 17:30 CET
Sweden v Germany - 18:30 CET
Slovenia v Estonia - 19:30 CET
Sunday, August 28
Germany v Slovenia - 15:00 CET
Estonia v Finland - 17:00 CET
Israel v Sweden - 20:00 CET
Finland and Germany are the early frontrunners with Slovenia not far behind in the race to the World Cup. Lauri Markkanen helped the Susijengi to a 5-1 record from the First Round and they could stretch further clear by beating Israel at home in their opening encounter.
Dennis Schroder was on fire for Germany in the June-July window and further scoring firepower could be too much for Sweden to handle before the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 co-hosts turn their attentions to welcoming Luka Doncic and Slovenia.
The reigning European champions are desperate to avoid a repeat of their failed qualifying bid for the last World Cup, so it was no surprise to see Doncic suiting up earlier this summer, while Goran Dragic was lured out of retirement. They host Estonia in their first game of the Second Round and the visitors face a tough window in order to stay in contention.
Group K
0/18 games played
| GAMES | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
| 1 | France | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83.3 | 464 | 343 | 121 | 77.3 | 57.2 | 11 |
| 2 | Lithuania | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83.3 | 462 | 421 | 41 | 77 | 70.2 | 11 |
| 3 | Montenegro | 6 | 4 | 2 | 66.7 | 464 | 428 | 36 | 77.3 | 71.3 | 10 |
| 4 | Czech Republic | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50.0 | 485 | 483 | 2 | 80.8 | 80.5 | 9 |
| 5 | BIH | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50.0 | 472 | 486 | -14 | 78.7 | 81 | 9 |
| 6 | Hungary | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50.0 | 399 | 469 | -70 | 66.5 | 78.2 | 9 |
Wednesday, August 24
Hungary v Lithuania - 18:00 CET
Montenegro v Bosnia and Herzegovina - 19:00 CET
France v Czech Republic - 20:30 CET
Saturday, August 27
Czech Republic v Hungary - 18:15 CET
Lithuania v Montenegro - 18:30 CET
Bosnia and Herzegovina v France - 20:00 CET
Every team has at least three wins and it's all to play for in Group K. France and Lithuania will be favorites to make it back to the World Cup, while Montenegro currently occupy the third spot, while Czech Republic are resurgent after recovering from an 0-3 start in the First Round.
France could have been perfect but for a loss against Montenegro and with injuries in preparations, their double-header in the August window is far from a given. Bosnia and Herzegovina will be dangerous on home soil and they can boost their hopes if they can first overcome Montenegro on the road.
Meanwhile, Hungary are up against it as they welcome Lithuania in their opening game and will have to find success on the road, too, if they are to end their wait for an appearance at the World Cup.
Group L
0/18 games played
| GAMES | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
| 1 | Italy | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 367 | 348 | 19 | 91.8 | 87 | 7 |
| 2 | Iceland | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 340 | 343 | -3 | 85 | 85.8 | 7 |
| 3 | Spain | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75.0 | 330 | 293 | 37 | 82.5 | 73.2 | 7 |
| 4 | Georgia | 4 | 2 | 2 | 50.0 | 297 | 327 | -30 | 74.2 | 81.8 | 6 |
| 5 | Ukraine | 4 | 1 | 3 | 25.0 | 312 | 319 | -7 | 78 | 79.8 | 5 |
| 6 | Netherlands | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 297 | 313 | -16 | 74.2 | 78.2 | 4 |
Wednesday, August 24
Georgia v Netherlands - 17:00 CET
Ukraine v Italy - 17:30 CET
Spain v Iceland - 21:00 CET
Saturday, August 27
Netherlands v Spain - 19:00 CET
Italy v Georgia - 20:30 CET
Iceland v Ukraine - 22:00 CET
There's a three-way tie at the top of Group L and an opening meeting between Spain and Iceland could help shape the outcome of proceedings. The defending World Cup champions could be set on their way for another crack at the title with victory on home soil.
Georgia lead the chasing pack and have plenty of confidence from beating Spain. They start at home against a Netherlands side that is still waiting for a first victory in the European Qualifiers despite some close encounters.
There was also nearly an upset for Ukraine against Spain, and they will need a similar effort when they come up against Italy with lots to be done to overturn their 1-3 record. The Italians were beaten by Iceland in the First Round and will be looking to lay down their marker and stretch away as they also welcome Georgia in the window.
FIBA