By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Coming back from a 13-point deficit, Denmark started the final Qualification Round leading to the 2025 EuroBasket on a high note.
Taking over in the fourth quarter, Gabriel Iffe Lundberg paced the 75-69 victory in Arena Naestved on Friday.
Countering an explosive start by Virtus Segafredo Bologna teammate Tornike Shengelia, the 29-year-old Danish guard put in ten of his 19 points in the fourth period as the team coached by Allan Foss pulled away. Complementing a team-high in points with seven assists, four rebounds, and three steals, he pushed his country to 1-0 in Group G of the Qualifiers.
In a team-high efficiency rating of 18, former George Washington standout Kevin Larsen chipped in 13 points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Bakary Dibba ended up with nine points. Gustav Knudsen and Mads Bonde Sturup added seven points apiece.
Guided by Aleksandar Dzikic, the successor of longtime national team selector Ilias Zouros, Georgia did not trail until the fourth quarter but eventually fell into a seven-point hole and did not recover. Shengelia piling up a game-high 27 points was not enough in Naestved. Debuting as the naturalized player of the squad, Joe Thomasson followed with 16 points.
Denmark’s win in Gameday 1 sets up a clear path to the 2025 EuroBasket. With Finland receiving an automatic berth, Georgia emerges as the direct rival especially considering Serbia as the favorite in the battle for two tickets to the final stage of the tournament.
Postgame press conference
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL