Jokić leads Serbia past Switzerland in World Cup Qualifiers

By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net

Serbia opened the latest FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window with a 97-73 home victory over Switzerland, overcoming a spirited challenge before pulling away late in the third quarter.

As expected, Nikola Jokić led the way for Dušan Alimpijević’s team, finishing with 22 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, while sharing game-high scoring honors with Nikola Jović, who also had 22 points.

Jović sparked the offense with his energy, while Nikola Tanasković added 16 points, Aleksa Avramović scored 13, and Stefan Momirov contributed 11 as the hosts gradually built an insurmountable lead.

Switzerland stayed within striking distance for much of the contest, led by Alexander Schumacher’s 19 points, but Serbia found another gear after halftime.

An intriguing clash in Zenica ended with Turkey claiming an 82-75 road victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, improving to 5-0 in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

Şehmus Hazer led the scoring for Ergin Ataman’s side with 16 points, while Cedi Osman recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Alperen Şengün added 14 points, and Tarık Biberović finished with 10.

For the hosts, Boston Celtics center Luka Garza paced the offense with 27 points and eight rebounds, while Amar Gegić was the only other player in double figures with 19 points.

Lithuania defeated Great Britain 105-85, led by Ąžuolas Tubelis, who scored 21 points, while Jonas Valančiūnas recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Kasparas Jakučionis also impressed with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Matas Buzelis added 12 and Ignas Sargiūnas finished with 11 points.

For the visitors, Myles Hesson scored 22 points, Gabriel Olaseni added 14, and Flynn Boardman Rafferty chipped in with 13.

Led by Svi Mykhailiuk, Ukraine defeated Georgia 95-76. Oleksandr Kovliar added 20 points for the winners, while Dmytro Skapintsev posted a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds.

On the other side, Marquis Reed finished with 18 points, Tornike Shengelia had 13, and Duda Sanadze contributed 10.

Spain cruised to a 109-81 home victory over Denmark, powered by Pierre Oriola’s 20 points. Hugo González and Mario Saint-Supery followed with 16 points apiece, while Izan Almansa scored 12 and Joel Parra added 11.

For Denmark, Jermaine Webb led the way with 14 points, while Frederik Jellum and Gabriel Vogel scored 12 each. Adam Heede Andersen and Oscar Jørgensen finished with 11 points apiece.

FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers

Group A

Ukraine – Georgia 95-76
Spain – Denmark 109-81
Denmark – Ukraine (5/7, 15:00 CET)
Georgia – Spain (5/7, 17:30 CET)

Standings

1. x-Spain 10 (5-0)
2. x-Ukraine 8 (3-2)
3. x-Georgia 7 (2-3)
4. Denmark 5 (0-5)

Group B

Romania – Greece 73-66
Portugal – Montenegro 68-72
Greece – Portugal (5/7, 18:30 CET)
Montenegro – Romania (5/7, 20:30 CET)

Standings

1. Greece 8 (3-2)
2. Montenegro 8 (3-2)
3.  Portugal 7 (2-3)
4. Romania 7 (2-3)

Group C

Switzerland – Serbia 73-97
Bosnia-Herzegovina – Turkiye 75-82
Turkiye – Switzerland (6/7, 18:00 CET)
Serbia – Bosnia-Herzegovina (6/7, 20:00 CET)

Standings

1. x-Turkiye 10 (5-0)
2. x-Serbia 8 (3-2)
3. x-Bosnia-Herzegovina 7 (2-3)
4. Switzerland 5 (0-5)

Group D

Lithuania – Great Britain 105-85
Iceland – Italy 83-102
Great Britain – Iceland (5/7, 16:00 CET)
Italy – Lithuania (5/7, 20:00 CET)

Standings

1. Italy 9 (4-1)
2. Lithuania 8 (3-2) 
3. Iceland 7 (2-3)
4. Great Britain 6 (1-4)

Group E

Cyprus – Croatia (3/7, 19:00 CET)
Israel – Germany (3/7, 19:00 CET)
Germany – Cyprus (6/7, 19:00 CET)
Croatia – Israel (6/7, 20:00 CET)

Standings

1. x-Croatia 7 (3-1)
2. x-Germany 7 (3-1)
3. x-Israel 6 (2-2)
4. o-Cyprus 4 (0-4)

Group F

Austria – Poland (3/7, 18:00 CET)
Netherlands – Latvia (3/7, 19:30 CET)
Poland – Netherlands (6/7, 18:00 CET)
Latvia – Austria (6/7, 18:30 CET)

Standings

1. x-Poland 8 (4-0)
2. Netherlands 6 (2-2)
3. Latvia 5 (1-3)
4. Austria 5 (1-3)

Group G

Finland – Hungary (3/7, 17:30 CET)
Belgium – France (3/7, 20:30 CET)
Hungary – Belgium (6/7, 18:00 CET)
France – Finland (6/7, 20:30 CET)

Standings

1. x-Finland 7 (3-1)
2. x-France 7 (3-1)
3. Hungary 6 (2-2)
4. Belgium 4 (0-4)

Group H

Estonia – Slovenia (3/7, 18:00 CET)
Sweden – Czechia (3/7, 19:00 CET)
Czechia – Estonia (6/7, 17:00 CET)
Slovenia – Sweden (6/7, 20:30 CET)

Standings

1. Slovenia 7 (3-1)
2. Czechia 6 (2-2)
3. Estonia 6 (2-2)
4. Sweden 5 (1-3)

x-clinched second-round berth
o-eliminated

-Top 3 national teams from each group advance to the next round, carrying their results to a new group
-Top 3 national teams from all four new groups advance to the World Cup

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