MIES (Switzerland) - The third window of the First Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers continues on Friday, with the remaining teams battling for a place in the Second Round.
Follow all the latest results, standings, and highlights right here.
Daily Highs
Efficiency: Ivica Zubac (Croatia) - 36 Points: Yam Madar (Israel) - 31 Rebounds: Maik-Kalev Kotsar (Estonia) / Bobi Klintman (Sweden) - 12 Assists: Mario Hezonja (Croatia) - 12 Steals: Multiple players - 3 Blocks: Ivica Zubac (Croatia) - 4
Markkanen, Maxhuni see Finland past Hungary, who go through anyway thanks to France
Finland recovered from a slow start to overcome Hungary 85-77 in Helsinki, with Lauri Markkanen once again integral to their success.
Markkanen scored 21 points, and Edon Maxhuni shone with 20, as the hosts bounced back from an 18-13 first quarter deficit to pull clear despite a late Hungarian fightback. Gyorgy Goloman led Hungary with 18 points.
But despite the loss, Hungary punched their ticket anyway thanks to France's 80-72 win over Belgium in Antwerp.
It was a triumph for the French, but it was nervy down the stretch, as they were led by Bilal Coulibaly's 13 points on 50 percent shooting. Emmanuel Lecomte paced the Belgians with 17 points, but they slip to 0-5.
Estonia convincing in win over Slovenia; Sweden take care of Czechia
Estonia produced a strong all-round showing to beat Slovenia 93-62 in front of a vocal home crowd in Tallinn.
Stefan Vaaks led the Estonians with 20 points and 6 assists, while Maik-Kalev Kotsar added 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists. Gregor Hrovat led Slovenia with 11 points as they drop to 3-2.
Sweden scored their second win of Group H, as they defeated Czechia 87-76 in Stockholm.
Thanks to a spectacular first ten minutes, in which the Swedes led 34-16, they were able to get the job done, with Bobi Klintman leading the hosts with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Ondrej Sehnal had 20 for Czechia.
Poland cruise past Austria; Latvia have life in win over Netherlands
Despite being assured of qualification already, Poland were not in any mood to relax as they powered past Austria 123-77 on the road.
Lukasz Kolenda enjoyed a haul of 23 points for Poland, who shot 61 percent from the floor and improved to 5-0 in Group F. Nico Zeleznik had 14 for Austria.
Latvia hung on to edge the Netherlands 72-69 away from home, bagging their second win in the group.
Arturs Zagars and Rihards Lomazs had 21 points apiece for the Latvians, with Keye van der Vuurst leading the Dutch with 23.
Hezonja makes history as Croatia show no mercy to Cyprus; Schroder, Germany beat Israel
Croatia were ruthless in their record 120-53 success away to Cyprus, with the 73-point margin the largest in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, and, as an added bonus, Mario Hezonja became the first player in European Qualifiers history to grab a triple-double.
Hezonja had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as Croatia dominated from the second minute of the game. Ivica Zubac led the winners with 24 points and 11 rebounds, who move to 4-1, with the Croatians shooting an impressive 69 percent from the field. Stefanos Tigkas had 10 for the winless Cypriots.
Reigning world champions Germany scored a narrow 92-86 victory over Israel in Riga, with Dennis Schroder returning to the fold and making an immediate impact.
The Cleveland Cavaliers guard led the Germans with 20 points and 9 assists, as they also went to 4-1 in the group. Yam Madar led all scorers with 31 points for the Israelis.
FIBA