MIES (Switzerland) - The journey to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 got underway last week, with the European Qualifiers continuing through eight exciting matchups on Monday night.
After the first batch of games on Thursday and Friday, action resumed with more late-game drama on Sunday with Italy emerging victorious from Lithuania and Serbia triumphing in Sarajevo to start Gameday 2.
With every result carrying through to the Second Round, each game has the potential to make or break a nation's hopes of eventually reaching the World Cup.
Who do you think will continue their campaign with a win on Monday? Or who will get off the mark? Cast your vote below and let us know!
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Did You Know?
Finland have made 10+ three-pointers in 17 games in the World Cup Qualifiers, including in each of the most recent five, more often than any other European team; they are averaging 10.7 3PM at home in the competition.
Germany have averaged 10.4 three-pointers made in their last seven road games in the World Cup Qualifiers, including 15 in their most recent one (vs. Finland, February 2023), their joint-high in the competition.
Ludde Hakanson (Sweden) made 15 assists against Czechia on Friday, the first time for a player in all regions in the World Cup Qualifiers. He has averaged 23.8 points and 6.8 assists in his last five home games in the competition, including a 24 points and 9 assists performance against Slovenia.
Jerrick Harding became on Friday the first Polish player with 30+ points and 5+ assists in a World Cup Qualifiers game (32pts, 5ast vs. Austria) and only the second European player to do that in his competition debut after Giannis Antetokounmpo in August 2022 (40pts, 5ast vs. Serbia).
Mario Hezonja had 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists on Friday against Cyprus in only 22min 40s of play, becoming the first European player to record a 25/5/5 in a World Cup Qualifiers game while spending fewer than 30 minutes on the court.
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