By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
A total of 30 games around the world were sold out during the third window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers and a record was made in Europe.
Accoding to the press release: A European Qualifiers single game record crowd of 12,183 spectators roared Finland on to a pivotal 91-77 victory over Iceland at Helsinki’s Hartwall Arena on Monday. The result clinched a spot in the next stage of the competition for the Susijengi.
There were no seats left vacant at the 7,000-seater Sport Complex Basket Hall in Krasnodar as Russia hosted France. The home fans lent their voices to the cause but a star-studded Les Bleus squad won, 84-78.
The Twelve Giant Men of Turkey benefitted from passionate support in the nation’s capital Ankara on Sunday once again and prevailed in a hugely significant contest. Fresh off their huge victory over Ukraine three days earlier in Ankara Arena, 8,212 screaming fans poured into the same venue and created an electric atmosphere as Turkey blew out Sweden, 77-52. Ufuk Sarica’s side won for the fourth time in the Qualifiers.
The biggest crowd was registered in the Philippines as 23,500 spectators – the biggest attendance in the Qualifiers to date – were on hand at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Of course, that ended up being the game with the notorious brawl between the Philippines and Australia.
Photo credit: FIBA