Preview: Which team will advance from each group?

MUNICH (Germany) - The road to FIBA EuroBasket 2029 continues on Thursday, with the eight eliminated teams from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers First Round joining the fray.

Along with the qualified teams from the First Round of the Pre-Qualifiers, the 12 participating teams have been split into four groups of three, with each group winner advancing to the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers.

FIBA EuroBasket 2029

FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers field confirmed for Second Round

Let us take a closer look at the groups and where things stand.

Group D

Schedule

Thursday, August 27 - Denmark vs Romania, 17:30 CET Sunday, August 30 - Romania vs Bulgaria, 16:00 CET

Narrowly eliminated in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, Romania will look to bounce back and progress further in the EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers, where they join Denmark, which finished its campaign without a win in six games, though they welcome back Iffe Lundberg.

Bulgaria will be stiff competition for the two sides, having topped Group B in their First Round, which also featured Norway and Armenia. They are the highest-ranked side in the group and have also added in Barcelona guard Umoja Gibson as their new naturalized player.

Ones to watch: Umoja Gibson (BUL), Iffe Lundberg (DEN), Daron Russell (ROU)

Group E

Schedule

Thursday, August 27 - Switzerland vs Great Britain, 18:00 CET Sunday, August 30 - Great Britain vs Slovakia, 17:00 CET

Great Britain will be armed with added firepower for their two upcoming Qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovakia, as Boston Celtics' big man Amari Williams and new Barcelona signing Tosan Evbuomwan suit up for the first time.

Slovakia will be a strong contender, with a squad of seasoned veterans and youth, led by free-scoring David De Julius, who averaged 26 points in the First Round. Meanwhile, Switzerland will fancy their chances at home against GB, with the efficient Alexander Schumacher in their ranks.

Ones to watch: Tosan Evbuomwan (GBR), Alexander Schumacher (SUI), David DeJulius (SVK)

Group F

Schedule

Thursday, August 27 - Cyprus vs Austria, 17:00 CET Sunday, August 30 - Austria vs North Macedonia, 15:05 CET

Cyprus faced a tough World Cup Qualifying campaign as they look to get back to winning ways against Austria, with the Austrians given a golden chance to make a strong start and end the window at the top of the pile.

Led by Bogic Vujosevic, who averaged 19.8 points in the World Cup Qualifiers, Austria will boast scoring power, but North Macedonia, dominant in the First Round with a 6-0 record, will also fancy their chances in what promises to be an exciting group.

The three teams are separated by just five places in the FIBA Men's World Ranking, presented by Nike.

Ones to watch: Filippos Tigkas (CYP), Bogic Vujosevic (AUT), Nenad Dimitrijevic (MKD)

Group G

Schedule

Thursday, August 27 - Belgium vs Czechia, 19:30 CET Sunday, August 30 - Czechia vs Norway, 16:30 CET

Well-established basketball nations Belgium and Czechia tip off an intriguing Group G, with Norway looking to continue their fine form from the First Round. And, with Harald Frey in their ranks, they are more than capable of causing an upset as they travel to Czechia to get their campaign off and running.

Czechia will be without the services of Tomas Satoransky for this window, but will still field a strong side, fronted by Ondrej Sehnal, who averaged 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, while Belgium, who lost all six World Cup Qualifiers will also be without some of their star names.

Ones to watch: Vrenz Bleijenbergh (BEL), Ondrej Sehnal (CZE), Harald Frey (NOR)

FIBA