By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The first FIBA window for the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers is coming to an end, and the final day of action opened with another great game — and a surprise.
Finland hosted France in Espoo and scored an important win to bounce back from their opening loss to Hungary, defeating Frédéric Fauthoux’s squad 83–76.
Edon Maxhuni led the way with 20 points, while Alexander Madsen added 14, making several big plays down the stretch. Mikael Jantunen was also crucial in the clutch, scoring four points at the moment Finland began to take control in the final quarter. He finished with a strong all-around performance: nine points, nine rebounds, and six assists. France couldn’t find a go-to scorer, though three players reached double figures: Matthew Strazel with 11 points, and Axel Bouteille and Lionel Gaudoux with 10 points each.
The second game of Group G ended with Hungary defeating Belgium 87–85 on the road, improving to 2–0 and taking the top spot in the standings. Valencia’s Nate Reuvers starred for the visitors with 26 points and 10 rebounds, hitting crucial free throws down the stretch.
Szilard Benke added 19 points and Zoltan Perl contributed 14 for Hungary, while Retin Obasohan led Belgium with 31 points, though it wasn’t enough. Loic Schwarty and Niels van den Eynde added 15 points each, and Siegbe Ledegen chipped in 13 points.
Kramer, Ruzic lead Germany and Croatia to road victories
Germany stormed past Cyprus on the road, securing an 83–64 victory behind David Kramer’s double-double. Till Pappe scored 14, Christian Sengfelder 12, and Malte Delow 10 points, while Nikos Stylianou had 16 and Ioannis Giannaras 12 for Cyprus.
Croatia followed Germany, improving to 2–0 with an 85–71 road win over Israel.
Michael Ruzic led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds, Mario Hezonja added a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Luka Bozic contributed 11 points. Roman Sorkin scored 20 points and Khadeen Carrington 11 for Israel.
Poland edges Netherlands in thriller; Latvia cruises past Austria
Poland earned their second win of the FIBA window, finishing with a 7–1 run in the final minute to defeat the Netherlands 85–83 away.
Mateusz Ponitka came close to a double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds, Jerrick Harding scored 17, and Michal Sokolowski added 12 points. Yannick Franke had 26, Keye van der Vuurst 18, and Yannick Kraag 13 for the Netherlands.
Sito Alonso got his first win as Latvia’s head coach, defeating Austria 86–68 on the road. Richards Lomazs scored 24 points, followed by Karlis Silins with 17 and Marcis Steinbergs with 10, while Bogic Vujosevic tallied 27 and Marvin Ogunsipe 17 for Austria.
Satoransky stars as Czechia tops Estonia; Slovenia beats Sweden
Czechia finished the first FIBA window with a perfect 2–0, defeating Estonia 97–92 in Tallinn.
Tomas Satoransky posted a spectacular double-double of 18 points and 16 assists, breaking the Qualifiers record. Ondrej Sehnal scored 15, Vojtech Hruban and Richard Balint 11 each, and James Karnik 10 points. Kasper Treier scored 26 and Artur Konontsuk 20 for Estonia.
Slovenia earned their first qualifiers’ victory on the road, defeating Sweden 94–83. Ziga Samar scored 16 and Gregor Glas 15, with Leon Stregar and Miha Cerkvenik adding 13 each, Alen Omic 11, and Urban Kroflic 10. Ludde Hakanson led Sweden with 34 points, followed by Pierre Hampton 16 and Olle Lundqvist 14.
FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers
Group A
1. Spain 4 (2-0)
2. Ukraine 4 (2-0)
3. Denmark 2 (0-2)
4. Georgia 2 (0-2)
Spain – Georgia 94-61
Ukraine – Denmark 88-71
Group B
1. Greece 4 (2-0)
2. Portugal 3 (1-1)
3. Montenegro 3 (1-1)
4. Romania 0 (0-2)
Portugal – Greece 68-76
Romania – Montenegro 75-80
Group C
1. Turkiye 4 (2-0)
2. Serbia 4 (2-0)
3. Bosnia-Herzegovina 2 (0-2)
4. Switzerland 2 (0-2)
Switzerland – Turkey 60-85
Bosnia-Herzegovina – Serbia 72-74
Group D
1. Great Britain 3 (1-1)
2. Lithuania 2 (1-1)
3. Iceland 3 (1-1)
4. Italy 3 (1-1)
Lithuania – Italiy 81-82
Iceland – Great Britain 84-90
Group E
2. Germany 4 (2-0)
3. Israel 2 (0-2)
4. Cyprus 2 (0-2)
Group F
1. Poland 4 (2-0)
2. Netherlands 3 (1-1)
3. Latvia 3 (1-1)
4. Austria 2 (0-2)
Netherlands – Poland 83-85
Austria – Latvia 68-86
Group G
1. Hungary 4 (2-0)
2. Finland 3 (1-1)
3. France 3 (1-1)
4. Belgium 2 (0-2)
Finland – France 83-76
Belgium – Hungary 85-87
Group H
1. Czechia 4 (2-0)
2. Estonia 3 (1-1)
3. Slovenia 3 (1-1)
4. Sweden 2 (0-2)
Estonia – Czech Republic 92-97
Sweden – Slovenia 83-94