By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
In control for the entire game, Latvia rocked Greece, 80-60, for a history-making achievement Friday evening.
Janis Strelnieks delivered a game-high 19 points in Iraklio. Janis Timma added 17 points and Dairis Bertans put in 15 points. In later Group I action, Turkey dominated Belgium in Istanbul confirming the team coached by Luca Banchi in the World Cup. Moving on and possibly with Kristaps Porzingis on board, Latvia will compete in the World Cup for the first time.
Onuralp Bitim dropping 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists was the biggest highlight as Turkey marched to the win, 86-52. Sadik Emir Kabaca added 16 points. On the opposite end, Ismael Bako connected all of his six field-goal attempts in a 17-point effort.
In the third part of Group I action, Serbia edged Great Britain, 74-68, in Newcastle. Dusan Ristic paired 15 points and 11 rebounds for the team coached by Svetislav Pesic. Gabriel Olaseni reached a game-high 20 points but to no avail for the home side.
Besides Latvia, Germany also made it to the World Cup. Beating Finland, 94-80, in Bamberg did the trick. Christian Sengfelder and Chris Kramer both scored 19 points, and Justus Hollatz went for 18 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and three steals. For the Wolf Pack, already through to the World Cup, Alex Murphy logged a game-high 20 points.
In Tallinn, Ludvig Hakanson produced 24 points to go along with six assists, six rebounds, and two steals powering Sweden to the 87-82 victory against Estonia. Tobias Borg threw in 20 more points and Simon Birgander posted a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double in the Group J affair. Estonia fell out of contention for a spot in next summer’s World Cup.
Early Group J action in Tel Aviv, Slovenia rolled Israel, 75-62. Edo Muric and Miha Lapornik both scored 16 points, Ziga Samar put in 13 points and Jordan Morgan registered 12 more points.
Victor Wembanyama debuting with the France senior national team was linked to the wide win, 90-65, versus Lithuania in Cido Arena. Elsewhere in Group K, Montenegro cruised to the win, 65-56, versus the Czech Republic in Pardubice. Nemanja Radovic led all scorers with 15 points.
After dropping a 17-point lead, Bosnia-Herzegovina prevailed, 83-78, over Hungary in Sarajevo. Making the difference in the Group K contest, Kenan Kamenjas posted a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double.
Overcoming a passionate and loud crowd at Pesaro, recently-crowned EuroBasket champion Spain escaped with the 88-84 victory against Italy in overtime to separate itself as the leader of Group L. Jaime Fernandez scored 12 of his 28 points in the extra period.
Tornike Shengelia packing 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and one block lifted Georgia to the key win, 88-85, versus Iceland in Reykjavik. Ten points and 11 rebounds shaped a double-double for Giorgi Shermadini.
A second win in Group L for Ukraine, 96-77, over the Netherlands in Almere. Illja Sydorov stood out with 25 points and five assists.
2023 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers:
Group I
Greece – Latvia 60-80
Turkey – Belgium 86-52
Great Britain – Serbia 68-74
Standings
1. q-Latvia 13 (6-1)
2. Serbia 11 (4-3)
3. Greece 11 (4-3)
4. Turkey 10 (3-4)
5. Belgium 10 (3-4)
6. Great Britain 8 (1-6)
Group J
Israel – Slovenia 62-75
Estonia – Sweden 82-87
Germany – Finland 94-80
Standings
1. q-Germany 17 (8-1)
2. q-Finland 16 (7-2)
3. Slovenia 15 (6-3)
4. Sweden 13 (4-5)
5. Israel 12 (3-6)
6. e-Estonia 11 (2-7)
Group K
Czech Republic – Montenegro 56-65
Lithuania – France 65-90
Bosnia-Herzegovina – Hungary 83-78
Standings
1. France 16 (7-2)
2. Lithuania 16 (7-2)
3. Montenegro 15 (6-3)
4. Bosnia-Herzegovina 14 (5-4)
5. Hungary 13 (4-5)
6. Czech Republic 12 (3-6)
Group L
Netherlands – Ukraine 77-96
Iceland – Georgia 85-88
Italy – Spain 84-88 OT (70-70)
Standings
1. Spain 13 (6-1)
2. Italy 12 (5-2)
3. Georgia 11 (4-3)
4. Iceland 11 (4-3)
5. Ukraine 9 (2-5)
6. e-Netherlands 7 (0-7)
q-clinched a berth
e-eliminated
-The top three teams of each group advance to the World Cup
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL