By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Austria was the first team to find their way into the qualifiers, which begin in November, via a 97-63 win over Albania in Saturday’s early game that also gave a ticket to the Netherlands and decided Group B.
Toronto’s Jakob Poltl with 18 points and 6 rebounds had one more big game, but Rasid Mahalbasic stole the show, recording 25 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
In Group D, a rampant Bulgaria ran by Portugal 91-65 and also advanced. Aleksander Vezenkov led Bulgaria with 21 points and 7 rebounds.
In Group A, Sweden completed a double over Bosnia and Herzegovina with an 88-72 win, improving to 2-2, with their remaining two games taking place at home. Armenia picked up their third win, defeating Slovak Republic 92-78. Ryan Boatright (photo), who had 22 points on Saturday, and his teammates, can guarantee a spot in the Qualifiers with a win in one of their two remaining games.
Meanwhile, in Group C, FYROM defeated Kosovo 87-74 with naturalized point guard Jordan Theodore scoring a game-high of 24 points.