MUNICH (Germany) - The second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers delivered no shortage of drama, with players and teams producing moments that lit up arenas across Europe.
From clutch plays to remarkable individual displays, here are six moments that stood above the rest as we count down to the resumption of international action.
France survive Hungary on Francisco game-winner
Sylvain Francisco proved the game-winner for France in a tough battle against Hungary on the road. The French had led by 12 points over previously unbeaten Hungary with 7 minutes to play, but the hosts roared back and evened the game 71-71 with 4.7 seconds left.
Francisco showed why he is the French captain as he collected the inbounds pass and drained a three-pointer from the right side over Gyorgy Goloman to give France the win 74-71. Francisco was only 1-of-5 from deep before the game-winner and he ended with 10 points and 5 assists.
"Loydowski" delivers dagger for Poland
Jordan Loyd is building quite a following in Poland - where they affectionately call him "Loydowski" - and the guard gave another reason for fans to love him in the second window against Latvia.
With just 3.7 seconds left in Riga, Loyd collected the inbounds pass and drained a stepback three-pointer as the final buzzer sounded for an 84-82 victory. Loyd finished with 37 points including 7 three-pointers.
The 37-point performance was the third highest scoring game by any player in FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers. And, Loyd's seven triples were just one off the record of eight by fellow Polish player AJ Slaughter and Italian Amedeo Della Valle.
Montenegro stun Greece - again
Montenegro showed they are not scared of any team in any venue as they upset Greece on the road in front of a packed arena in Athens. The Balkan side scored the final two baskets of the game - both set up by veteran point guard Derek Needham - in a 67-65 win over Greece in the opening game of the window.
It was actually another Montenegro victory over Greece after they surprised Hellas in the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Manila. In Athens, Needham fed Zoran Nikolic for the dunk to tie the game 65-65 and then delivered the pass to Emir Hadzibegovic for the game winning score in the waning seconds.
Brito ties three-point record with eight triples
Diogo Brito had a night to remember as he led Portugal to a 99-82 home triumph over Romania with a record-tying eight three-pointers. Brito finished with 32 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for an efficiency of 36.
Brito's 8-of-10 three-point shooting pulled him even for the single-game record in World Cup European Qualifiers, joining Poland's AJ Slaughter and Amedeo Della Valle of Italy.
Fridriksson buzzer-beater stuns Lithuania
Lithuanian basketball fans undoubtedly were having nightmares of Elvar Fridriksson in the aftermath of their showdown with Iceland in the second window. The sniper helped finish a miracle Icelandic comeback with a buzzer-beating jumper for an 86-85 home win.
Lithuania were leading by 21 points with 7 minutes left but Iceland refused to give up and took the lead with 73 seconds left. Lithuania reclaimed the lead on Ignas Sargiunas' two free throws with 6.9 seconds remaining.
But Fridriksson took the ensuing inbounds pass, sidestepped and faked to get Sargiunas in the air and calmly hit the mid-range jumper at the buzzer for the crazy win. Fridriksson ended with 34 points and 6 assists.
Shengelia shines, sends Georgia into Second Round
There is no secret of Toko Shengelia's love of the Georgia national team and everything he does for it. The veteran forward added another chapter to that legacy as helped the country get a sweep of Denmark to book their spot in the Second Round.
And the second game saw a performance for the ages by Shengelia in an 89-60 victory in Tbilisi. He collected 27 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 5 blocks for an efficiency rating of 36. Shengelia became the eighth player in European Qualifiers history to have an efficiency rating of 36 or more.
FIBA