World Cup Qualifiers crowds: a new European record and a global success

MIES (Switzerland) - A new attendance record was established as the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers saw countries everywhere go after wins in a bid to reach next year's big event in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.

From Africa to Asia, and from Europe to the Americas, fans were treated to  memorable games.

On Monday, Turkey hosted Greece and a whopping 14,500 spectators filled the Sinan Erdem Sports Arena in Istanbul to set a new European Qualifiers attendance mark. The venue was filled to 97%  capacity and surpassed the previous attendance record of 12,183 at Finland's game against Iceland in Helsinki on July 2, 2018.

Turkey fans showed up in record numbers for their home game against Greece

Fans watched as Greece, who had edged Turkey in a riveting first encounter a few days before in Athens, claimed a second hard fought victory.

The two games France played against Portugal captured the imagination in both countries. In Dijon, France, on February 24, the Palais des Sport Jean-Michel Geoffrey was at 86% capacity with 4,000 spectators as Les Bleus defeated the Portuguese .

French fans celebrated a big win in Dijon

A few days later in Matosinhos, Portugal, 93% (4,000) of the Centro de Desportos e Congressos was filled. The Portuguese led in the second half but the French ended up winning, 69-56.

The Centro de Desportos e Congressos was filled to 93% capacity as Portugal met France

Also in the European Qualifiers, 4,000 fans (80% capacity) of the Mejdan arena in Tuzla to watch Lithuania edge hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina, 78-77, while the Botevgrad Arena was filled to capacity for Bulgaria's home game against the Czech Republic. The Bulgarians, with a boisterous 3,500-strong crowd behind them, got their first win, a 79-70 triumph.

Tuzla had an electric crowd as Bosnia and Herzegovina traded blows with Lithuania

The same number, 3,500, piled into Schlomo Arena in Tel Aviv and to see Israel take on Germany on February 25, and 2,300 (96% capacity) watched Montenegro take on Hungary inside the Bemax Arena in Podgorica on February 27.

Israels's loud fans cheered for the team against Germany in Tel Aviv

In the Americas Qualifiers, the appetite for national team games was big in the famous city of Havana, where Cuba engaged in a pair of hotly contested showdowns with Mexico (February 24) and Puerto Rico (February 27). There were 5,100 fans to watch the game against the Mexicans and then 4,100 showed up to see the clash with the Boricuas.

Cuba had a boisterous and fun crowd for games against Mexico and Puerto Rico

The Estadio Obras Sanitarias in Buenos Aires was filled as 4,000 spectators watched hosts Argentina take on Venezuela on February 25, and Panama the following day.

Venezuela's fans cheered wildly as their team beat Argentina 71-58 in Buenos Aires

In the Asian Qualifers, the Prince Hamza Hall in Amman rocked as 4,200 fans (77% capacity) cheered Jordan to a 74-63 victory over Lebanon on February 24, while three days later at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, 3,369 spectators watched as Lebanon bounced back with a 81-68 victory over home team Saudi Arabia.

Jordan's fans left the Prince Hamza all smiles after a win over Lebanon

FIBA