By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Russia routed North Macedonia, 94-77, at Perm on Friday to clinch a EuroBasket berth through Group B. Joel Bolomboy logged a game-high 19 points. Vojdan Stojanovski recorded 18 points for the losing side.
Estonia defeated Italy in the earlier game at the same venue strengthening its bid for the remaining advancing spot of the group.
Two more clinching teams were generated at Tbilisi as Serbia crushed Georgia, 92-66. Filip Petrusev went for 27 points in his senior debut and Danilo Andjusic added 22 points for visitors, while Giorgi Shermadini scored 20 points for the team coached by Ilias Zouros.
Consequently, Finland advanced as well in the aftermath of the win, 92-84, against Switzerland in the earlier Group E affair.
Poland lifted the number of clinched teams to 15 via Israel extending its undefeated streak and eliminating Romania off the win, 79-71, at Gliwice. Roman Sorkin fired 18 points in his first game with the senior Israeli squad. Mihai Maciuca got 18 points for the odd team out of Group A.
The hosts followed up action in the bubble with a loss, 89-88, to Spain. Fran Guerra off a late free throw determined the winner after Jonathan Barreiro banked 24 points powered by 8/9 field goals and Dario Brizuela got 21 points including a clutch triple for Sergio Scariolo’s side. A. J. Slaughter registered a game-high 27 points in a losing effort.
Hungary stormed back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter and overcame Austria, 83-81, in overtime at Kiev to complete the Group F progressing field. Szilard Benke sank a tough game-winning three with 10 seconds left in the extra period finishing up with 14 points. David Vojvoda poured a game-high 22 points. On the opposite end, Thomas Klepeisz produced 21 points.
Group A
Romania – Israel 71-79
Poland – Spain 88-89
1. y-Israel 10 (5-0)
2. y-Spain 8 (3-2)
3. y-Poland 7 (2-3)
4. x-Romania 5 (0-5)
Group B
Italy – Estonia 101-105 OT (94-94)
North Macedonia – Russia 77-94
1. h-Italy 9 (4-1)
2. y-Russia 8 (3-2)
3. Estonia 6 (2-2)
4. North Macedonia 4 (0-4)
Group C
1. Belgium 7 (3-1)
2. Denmark 6 (2-2)
3. Lithuania 6 (2-2)
4. h-Czech Republic 5 (1-3)
Group D
1. y-Croatia 8 (4-0)
2. Netherlands 6 (2-2)
3. Sweden 5 (1-3)
4. Turkey 5 (1-3)
Group E
Finland – Switzerland 92-84
Georgia – Serbia 66-92
1. h-Georgia 9 (4-1)
2. y-Serbia 8 (3-2)
3. y-Finland 7 (2-3)
4. x-Switzerland 6 (1-4)
Group F
Austria – Hungary 81-83 OT (75-75)
1. y-Slovenia 9 (4-1)
2. y-Hungary 7 (3-1)
3. y-Ukraine 6 (2-2)
4. x-Austria 5 (0-5)
Group G
1. France 7 (3-1)
2. Great Britain 6 (2-2)
3. Montenegro 6 (2-2)
4. h-Germany 5 (1-3)
Group H
1. y-Greece 7 (3-1)
2. y-Bosnia and Herzegovina 7 (3-1)
3. Bulgaria 5 (1-3)
4. Latvia 5 (1-3)
y-clinched EuroBasket berth
h-among EuroBasket hosts
x-eliminated
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL