MUNICH (Germany) - Austria and Denmark put their name up in lights with big upset wins in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers to not only make it a night to remember, but underline the exciting roller-coaster nature of the competition.
As well as some favorites being toppled unexpectedly, a number of nations are now eying up a flawless first qualifying window after staying perfect with a second success in as many games.
Meanwhile in the 2027 co-hosts' Group, Lithuania are now the only unbeaten side after they clipped the wings of reigning champions, Belgium.
Key Storylines
Six nations hunting Second Round tickets are still unbeaten heading into Gameday 3;
Lithuania show potential by easing out the holders;
Austria, Denmark and Ireland register memorable upset;
Gameday 2 Highs
Efficiency: Julianna Okosun (Denmark); Daniel Raber (Israel) - 35 Points: Julianna Okosun (Denmark) - 28 Rebounds: Julianna Okosun (Denmark) - 19 Assists: Andjelika Mitrashinovikj (North Macedonia) - 10 Steals: Karina Konstantinova (Bulgaria); Dragana Stankovic (Serbia) - 7 Blocks: Multiple Players - 3
Lithuania take down Women's EuroBasket champs
Lithuania climbed to top spot in Group H as they came back from a double-digit deficit to take a 73-69 victory against Belgium. Holding their nerve in crunch time when just a one-point contest with a minute to play, Giedre Labuckiene iced victory with a series of successful free-throws.
But it was arguably the work of Laura Juskaite that provided the foundation for success as the winger produced a typically all-action 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Gabija Meskonyte and Juste Jocyte also shared 24 points.
In the other game between the co-hosts, Finland got off the mark by beating Sweden 86-77 behind 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists from Awak Kuier.
Young gun Hollerl fires Austria to famous win
There was a party atmosphere when the buzzer sounded in Vienna as Austria shocked Great Britain by taking a pulsating 85-81 triumph in Group D. The home side made it rain with 12 triples in the contest and were fuelled by an outstanding display from rising star Sina Elke Hollerl.
Highlighted as a young gun to watch coming into the Qualifiers, she lived up to the billing by firing a flurry of downtown scores to register 23 points. was Sigrid Koizar also influential in adding 17 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Having only just appointed Jesper Sundberg to the helm, the playcaller has guided his side to a 2-0 start.
Unstoppable Okosun drives Denmark past Croatia
Julianna Okosun chose the perfect time to produce the best display by any player in the Qualifiers so far as her majestic effort paced Denmark during a super 89-77 win in Croatia.
The underdogs finished the game with an electric 26-10 final quarter, but it was an epic 28 points and 19 rebounds from their star forward that proved to be the big difference-maker.
Who's eyeing up a perfect first window?
As well as Austria moving to 2-0, there were also five other teams vying for Second Round spots who also maintained their unbeaten start.
Considered as dark horses to make the next edition, Bulgaria took a fabulous 80-60 win against Ukraine. Karina Konstantinova claimed 20 points and 7 steals, with Borislava Hristova scoring a team-high 22 points.
Meanwhile Poland are rolling strongly and unbeaten in Group C after they rolled over Romania 86-41 behind a big show from Kamila Borkowska. She made 7 of 9 from the field for 19 points, also harvesting 8 boards and 3 blocks.
Slovenia are still yet to taste defeat in Group B as they eased out Estonia 87-65. It was a big team effort for David Gaspar and his side, with five players logging double-digit scoring returns, led by 22 points from Eva Lisec.
Serbia followed up big win in Iceland with an even more eye-catching Group G display against Portugal. They won 77-51 thanks to 14 points and 7 steals from Dragana Stankovic - as well as 10 assists from Yvonne Anderson.
Finally, Israel had to work hard to see off Luxembourg but eventually got the job done 77-65 as Daniel Raber continued her rich vein of form. The forward racked up 21 points, 10 rebounds 6 steals and 5 assists.
Results
Saturday, November 15
Group A Israel 77-65 Luxembourg Ireland 94-67 Bosnia and Herzegovina Group B Latvia 89-62 Netherlands Estonia 65-87 Slovenia Group C Cyprus 59-70 Slovakia Poland 80-60 Romania
Group D Switzerland 71-33 Norway Austria 85-81 Great Britain
Group E Azerbaijan 62-104 Montenegro Ukraine 60-80 Bulgaria
Group F North Macedonia 84-101 Greece Croatia 77-89 Denmark
Group G Serbia 77-51 Portugal
Sunday, November 16
Group H Lithuania 73-69 Belgium Finland 86-77 Sweden
FIBA