By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Four teams had the chance to seal their qualification for Eurobasket 2013 and none of them chocked. Italy beat Czech Republic (68-56), stayed perfect (6-0) and will be in Slovenia. The same applies to Croatia after a stroll in Cyprus (98-49) and also to coach Mike Fratello’ s Ukraine after beating 68-57 Austria. However the story of the night is the win of Montenegro against Serbia by ten points (72-62). Montenegro has seven wins in seven games and also a ticket for Eurobasket 2013, while Serbia, a team with illustrious history and big names – like the duo of CSKA stars, Nenad Krstic and Milos Teodosic, and also coach Dusan Ivkovic (photo) – can miss the qualification.
The first two teams of each group and the four best third placed teams will qualify for Eurobasket 2013. The host country Slovenia, France, FYROM, Great Britain, Greece, Lithuania, Russia and Spain have already qualify to the competition.
Group A
Iceland – Slovak Republic 84-86
Estonia – Israel 53-84
Montenegro – Serbia 72-62
STANDINGS (7 games)
1. Montenegro 7-0
2. Israel 4-3
3. Estonia 4-3
4. Serbia 4-3
5. Slovak Republic 1-6
6. Iceland 1-6
Group B
Luxemburg – Germany 67-95
Bulgaria – Azerbaijan 94-77
STANDINGS (7 games)
1. Germany 5-0
2. Bulgaria 3-3
3. Azerbaijan 3-3
4. Sweden 3-2
5. Luxemburg 0-6
Group C
Ukraine – Austria 68-57
Cyprus – Croatia 49-98
STANDINGS (7 games)
1. Ukraine 5-1
2. Croatia 5-0
3. Austria 2-4
4. Hungary 2-3
5. Cyprus 0-6
Group D
Romania – Georgia 74-91
Bosnia – Netherlands 99-83
STANDINGS (7 games)
1. Bosnia 4-2
2. Georgia 4-1
3. Latvia 3-2
4. Netherlands 2-4
5. Romania 1-5
Group E
Poland – Switzerland 111-67
Albania – Finland 52-95
STANDINGS (7 games)
1. Finland 5-0
2. Poland 4-2
3. Belgium 3-2
4. Switzerland 2-4
5. Albania 0-6
Group F
Belarus – Turkey 62-91
Italy – Czech Republic 68-56
STANDINGS (7 games)
1. Italy 6-0
2. Czech Republic 4-2
3. Turkey 3-2
4. Belarus 1-5
5. Portugal 0-5