25/11/2020

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Everything you need to know about the November FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers window

MUNICH (Germany) - A lot has happened since the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers got underway, and there's still a lot to be decided with two windows remaining.

You'd be forgiven for forgetting how things work, so you can brush up on the Competition System and keep an eye out for the latest version of the Power Rankings this week.

For the full game schedule and tip-off times, click here.

And, here we take a look at the current state of play in each of the eight groups:

Group A - Valencia (ESP)

4/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Israel	2	2	0	100	162	134	28	81	67	4
2	Poland	2	1	1	50.0	151	144	7	75.5	72	3
3	Spain	2	1	1	50.0	153	151	2	76.5	75.5	3
4	Romania	2	0	2	0	134	171	-37	67	85.5	2

Upcoming Games

November 28: Romania v Poland; Israel v Spain
November 30: Israel v Poland; Spain v Romania

What's on the line in Valencia?

Israel are the only unbeaten side in the group heading into the second window and will be looking to continue their momentum with qualification within reach. Spain will want to bounce back on home soil following their defeat to Poland in Zaragoza, while Romania have it all to do with a must-win clash to open.

Game To Watch

Israel v Spain. If Israel can record a third straight win in the group, the pressure would really begin to mount on Spain, and the hosts need different players to step up as they are without their two leading scorers from the first window.

FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
2.	Spain	1.	ESP	722.9
13.	Poland	9.	POL	567.6
41.	Israel	21.	ISR	245.7
54.	Romania	30.	ROU	179.4

Group B - TALLINN (EST)

4/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Italy	2	2	0	100	170	145	25	85	72.5	4
2	Estonia	2	1	1	50.0	162	159	3	81	79.5	3
3	Russia	2	1	1	50.0	141	150	-9	70.5	75	3
4	North Macedonia	2	0	2	0	139	158	-19	69.5	79	2

Upcoming Games

November 28: Italy v North Macedonia; Estonia v Russia
November 30: Russia v Italy; Estonia v North Macedonia

What's on the line in Tallinn?

FIBA EuroBasket 2022 co-hosts Italy made a 2-0 start through the first window including a 21-point win over Russia. Estonia ran them close on home soil and will look to capitalize on familiar surroundings in the 'bubble' as two wins could secure their qualification, while North Macedonia are in need of a victory.

Game To Watch

Estonia v Russia. The two teams with split records so far meet on Gameday 3 as Estonia and Russia battle it out to control second spot in the group. It may actually prove to be more important for Russia with the Italians waiting two days later, and heading into the final window with a 1-3 record would be far from ideal for either side.

FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
11.	Russia	7.	RUS	585.4
12.	Italy	8.	ITA	577.9
49.	Estonia	26.	EST	209.9
53.	North Macedonia	29.	MKD	187.6

Group C - VILNIUS (LTU)

4/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Belgium	2	2	0	100	174	137	37	87	68.5	4
2	Lithuania	2	1	1	50.0	162	175	-13	81	87.5	3
3	Czech Republic	2	1	1	50.0	164	168	-4	82	84	3
4	Denmark	2	0	2	0	143	163	-20	71.5	81.5	2

Upcoming Games

November 27: Czech Republic v Belgium; Lithuania v Denmark
November 29: Denmark v Czech Republic; Lithuania v Belgium

What's on the line in Vilnius?
Belgium were one of the biggest stories from the first window as they opened up with two wins that included an emphatic 21-point victory over Lithuania - which saw them lead by as many as 37 points. The two teams meet again in Vilnius, while Denmark are up against it despite pushing Czech Republic close and will need more heroics from Gabriel Lundberg.

Game To Watch

Honestly, take your pick. Denmark will come out fighting and have nothing to lose, while Belgium have made everyone stand up and take notice. Replicating that success is another matter and they come up against two top-10 nations out to beat them, whilst being without first window hero Jonathan Tabu.

FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
8.	Lithuania	5.	LTU	635.2
9.	Czech Republic	6.	CZE	591.5
37.	Belgium	19.	BEL	281.9
59.	Denmark	33.	DEN	164.5

Group D - ISTANBUL (TUR)

4/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Croatia	2	2	0	100	141	115	26	70.5	57.5	4
2	Netherlands	2	1	1	50.0	131	134	-3	65.5	67	3
3	Sweden	2	1	1	50.0	143	152	-9	71.5	76	3
4	Turkey	2	0	2	0	145	159	-14	72.5	79.5	2

Upcoming Games

November 27: Netherlands v Sweden; Croatia v Turkey
November 29: Netherlands v Turkey; Sweden v Croatia

What's on the line in Istanbul?

For Turkey, a lot. An underwhelming start to the group saw Turkey drop to the bottom with defeats to the Netherlands and Sweden. Those two sides have been given a lift and still face each other twice, which could prove decisive. Meanwhile, unbeaten Croatia did what they needed to do and another perfect window could see them advance.

Game To Watch

Croatia v Turkey. Pressure. 3-0 Croatia? 0-3 Turkey? Or back on track in the group? Reaching the halfway stage without a win would have been unimaginable for Turkey, but it still wouldn't be insurmountable - yet they'll be looking to get back to 2-2 and putting February truly behind them.

FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
14.	Croatia	10.	CRO	522.4
15.	Turkey	11.	TUR	513.2
44.	Netherlands	23.	NED	231.2
55.	Sweden	31.	SWE	176.4

Group E - ESPOO (FIN)

4/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Georgia	2	2	0	100	190	178	12	95	89	4
2	Serbia	2	1	1	50.0	170	152	18	85	76	3
3	Finland	2	1	1	50.0	127	144	-17	63.5	72	3
4	Switzerland	2	0	2	0	152	165	-13	76	82.5	2

Upcoming Games

November 28: Switzerland v Serbia; Finland v Georgia
November 30: Switzerland v Georgia; Serbia v Finland

What's on the line in Espoo?

Georgia are the early front-runners in the group, thanks in large to their impressive four-point win in Belgrade in the first window. Switzerland are the lowest ranked side left in the Qualifiers and would have taken encouragement from single-figure margins of defeat, but face a tough double-header that could see the end of the road.

Game To Watch

There will certainly be plenty of eyes on Serbia, though the clash between Finland and Georgia will be an interesting watch. Finland were far from convincing in their win over Switzerland and will be the underdogs in both encounters over the weekend, but could shake things up in the southern city of Espoo.

FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
5.	Serbia	2.	SRB	661.3
34.	Finland	17.	FIN	319.4
36.	Georgia	18.	GEO	299.1
62.	Switzerland	35.	SUI	151.5

Group F - ljubljana (SLO)

4/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Hungary	2	2	0	100	139	135	4	69.5	67.5	4
2	Ukraine	2	1	1	50.0	148	135	13	74	67.5	3
3	Slovenia	2	1	1	50.0	160	155	5	80	77.5	3
4	Austria	2	0	2	0	151	173	-22	75.5	86.5	2

Upcoming Games

November 28: Slovenia v Ukraine
November 30: Ukraine v Austria;

What's on the line in Ljubljana?

Hungary top the group heading to the Ljubljana 'bubble' having enjoyed back-to-back two-point victories in February. Slovenia and Ukraine were on the receiving end of dramatic fixtures, but both defeated Austria who now have little margin for error with two further defeats potentially sealing their fate.

Note: The games of Austria - Hungary on November 28 and Slovenia - Hungary on November 30 will not take place and will be rescheduled in the February 2021 window.

FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
17.	Slovenia	12.	SLO	496.4
29.	Ukraine	16.	UKR	353.0
39.	Hungary	20.	HUN	262.2
56.	Austria	32.	AUT	172.6

Group G - PAU (FRA)

4/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Germany	2	1	1	50.0	156	150	6	78	75	3
2	France	2	1	1	50.0	154	149	5	77	74.5	3
3	Great Britain	2	1	1	50.0	155	154	1	77.5	77	3
4	Montenegro	2	1	1	50.0	147	159	-12	73.5	79.5	3

Upcoming Games

November 27: Great Britain v France; Germany v Montenegro
November 29: France v Germany; Great Britain v Montenegro

What's on the line in Pau?

It was wins all round in the first window in February as the only group without an unbeaten team. Great Britain pulled off a vital victory at home against FIBA EuroBasket 2022 co-hosts Germany - who had beaten France - after an opening loss to Montenegro, and everyone remains firmly in the hunt as they battle in Pau.

Game To Watch

France v Germany is always going to fun to watch, no matter who is wearing the jersey, but the most important clash is no doubt going to be Great Britain v Montenegro - this could be crucial in deciding who advances, providing Les Bleus do not have a mare on home soil.

FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
6.	France	3.	FRA	656.5
18.	Germany	13.	GER	495.7
26.	Montenegro	14.	MNE	391.4
42.	Great Britain	22.	GBR	242.7

Group H - SARAJEVO (BIH)

4/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Greece	2	2	0	100	143	128	15	71.5	64	4
2	Bulgaria	2	1	1	50.0	173	177	-4	86.5	88.5	3
3	BIH	2	1	1	50.0	127	131	-4	63.5	65.5	3
4	Latvia	2	0	2	0	165	172	-7	82.5	86	2

Upcoming Games

November 27: Greece v Latvia; Bosnia and Herzegovina v Bulgaria
November 29: Bulgaria v Greece; Bosnia and Herzegovina v Latvia

What's on the line in Sarajevo?

It was a tough opening window for Latvia as they were edged out by a point at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina before losing a high-scoring thriller away in Bulgaria, and still have to play unbeaten Greece twice. Bosnia will fancy their chances on home soil and could close on qualification, especially if they can replicate their performance against Latvia.

Game To Watch

While a lot rides on the meeting between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria, the first game of the November window could prove even more significant. Can Latvia respond by beating Greece and open up the group or will they in the danger zone of an 0-3 record?