TBILISI (Georgia) - A perfect 2-0 run in back-to-back games against Denmark was just enough to see Toko Shengelia, Aleksandar Dzikic and Georgia through to the Second Round.
They had done half of the job on Friday with an 89-71 win on the road, and once they followed it up with a 89-60 win at home, it meant they can no longer be caught by Denmark in the standings, securing their spot in the next round.
Since the current qualification format was introduced in the FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers, Georgia have reached the Second Round each time, culminating with a World Cup berth in 2023.
Meanwhile, their win also pulled Spain through, regardless of their result on Monday, since Denmark can finish at 2-4 at best, while Spain already had three wins entering their final game of the February-March Window.
Spain stormed through both of the previous Qualifiers in this format and have not missed the World Cup since 1978.
World Cup Pedigree
Georgia
Number of participations: 1
Last participation: 2023 (16th)
Best finish: 16th (2023)
Spain
Number of participations: 13
Last participation: 2023 (9th)
Best finish: Champions (2006, 2019)
Past Qualifiers
Georgia
Edition | Record |
|---|---|
2023 (Q) | 7-5 (3rd in Group L - Second Round) |
2019 | 5-7 (4th in Group L - Second Round) |
Spain
Edition | Record |
|---|---|
2023 (Q) | 8-2 (1st in Group L - Second Round) |
2019 (Q) | 10-2 (1st in Group I - Second Round) |
Who will they face in the Second Round?
The top three teams from Group A and Group B will form Group I in the Second Round, carrying over all results from the First Round.
Group A |
|
|---|---|
Qualified | Georgia, Spain |
In contention | Denmark, Ukraine |
Eliminated |
|
Group B |
|
|---|---|
Qualified |
|
In contention | Greece, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania |
Eliminated |
|
FIBA