First six tickets to China 2019 World Cup off the board in September
The first qualifying slots in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 were filled by Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Nigeria and Tunisia during the September window.
MIES (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - The first qualifying slots in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 were filled during the September window, with Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Nigeria and Tunisia all booking their places for next summer's 32-team competition.
The undefeated Lithuania became the last team to punch its ticket by holding on for a 95-93 double-overtime victory against the Netherlands on Monday, taking their tally to 8-0 in Group J of the European Qualifiers.
The three other European teams - Czech Republic, Germany and Greece - confirmed their place in China on Sunday.
🇱🇹 Lithuania are going to China! @Musukrepsinis is the 4th European team to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/BgjxnRdEQy
— Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) September 17, 2018
It was a historic moment for the Tomas Satoransky and Jan Vesely-led Czech Republic, who qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time in the country's history following an 85-80 triumph against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo.
The latest developments in the September window leave 8 of 12 qualification spots in Europe open for the remaining teams. All three slots are still available in Group I, while there are two each in Groups J and K and just one in Group L.
Although most of the newly qualified teams come from Europe, the first dominoes actually fell in Africa, as Nigeria and Tunisia booked their spots in Saturday.
Nigeria and Tunisia clinched qualification for the #FIBAWC by improving to 8-0 records in their respective groups, with Tunisia easing to a 69-47 victory against Egypt and Nigeria beating CAF 114-69 in a Group F contest a couple of hours later.https://t.co/dTZUNrcEh8
— Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) September 15, 2018
The continent's basketball powerhouses both improved to 9-0 records in the window, snatching up the first pair of tickets to China and leaving three more for other African teams.
The tournament hosts China are the only qualified team in Asia, who are set to provide seven more countries to the Final Round. Seven more teams will arrive to the World Cup via the Americas Qualifiers.
7/32 ! Who do you see next qualifying for the #FIBAWC 2019 🏆?
— Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) September 20, 2018
📖 https://t.co/IevQw53l67#RoadToChina #ThisIsMyHouse pic.twitter.com/J6abqABGFt
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