MUNICH (Germany) - The next step towards the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 for Europe has begun with Netherlands, Romania, Denmark and Slovakia all opening the Second Round of the European Pre-Qualifiers with victories.
The first of six gamedays over the next three weeks saw four games - one in each of the four groups which feature a total of 12 teams vying for a ticket to the European Qualifiers.
N'Guessan wins it for Netherlands
Netherlands started their Group F campaign with a nailbiter; beating Austria 65-64 at home. The hosts led 63-56 with 94 seconds to play only to have Austria answer with the next eight points, pulling ahead 64-63 on Sylven Landesberg's three-pointer with 35 seconds remaining.
David N'Guessan countered with a driving layup with 24 seconds to go and Austria missed their last two attempts, allowing Netherlands to survive with the win in Group F, which also includes Bulgaria.
Tristan Enaruna paced the Netherlands with 11 points and Malevy Leons added 10 points. Meanwhile, Jakob Poeltl led Austria with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 blocks.
Romania overcome Wiley, North Macedonia
The other thriller came in Group E where North Macedonia and Romania battled it tight all night before the visitors prevailed 80-72 on the road. The biggest advantage was seven points and there were 15 lead changes in the game before Dragos Diculescu took over.
With Romania trailing 67-66 at the four-minute mark, Diculescu scored 10 straight points in a 12-2 run to put the game away. The forward finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists while Lucas Tohatan led Romania with 21 points.
Jacob Wiley led the home side with an all-action effort of 28 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks, albeit in defeat. Hungary is the other team in Group E.
Strong third quarter enough for Slovakia
Slovakia started their Group D in strong fashion with a 73-60 win over Switzerland, thanks to conceding only 7 points in the third quarter.
Timotej Malovec was too much to handle as the 21-year-old Slovakian scored 21 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and swatted 2 shots in the win while Lukas Bolek contributed 13 points.
Switzerland have the chance to bounce back when they welcome Ukraine to Fribourg on Wednesday.
Denmark never challenged against Norway
Denmark started their Second Round in style with a convincing 89-71 win over Norway in Group G, which also includes Croatia.
The Danes led by 10 points after 10 minutes and Norway really never were able to threaten the rest of the way. Tobias Jensen poured in 21 points and also had 7 rebounds and 5 assists in leading the way for Denmark, who also had Bakary Dibba score 18 points.
The top two teams from each group advance to the European Qualifiers, with the remaining Second Round games to be played on August 6, 9, 13, 16 and 20.
Daily Highs
Efficiency: Jacob Wiley (MKD) - (38) Points: Jacob Wiley (MKD) - (28) Rebounds: Emmanuel Cate (ROU) - (14) Assists: Adem Mekic (MKD) - (7) Steals: Jakob Poeltl (AUT) - 4 Blocks: Jakob Poeltl (AUT) - 4
FIBA