Top teams thriving in FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers

MIES (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers) - The top ranked teams in the world thrived under FIBA's New Competition System by going unbeaten in the first window of the World Cup Qualifiers.

The USA, Spain, Serbia, France, Argentina, Lithuania, Australia, Greece, Turkey and Brazil - all teams inside the top 13 of the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike - each concluded the first window on Monday night with 2-0 marks.

These nations impressed on the road and also made the most of playing at home, in front of their fans, family and friends.

Despite the absence of some of their key players, these national teams were able to live up to the expectations.

The United States put away a very determined Puerto Rico in Orlando, 85-78, before winning big in Greensboro over Mexico, 91-55.

Spain, who are No. 2 in the world, prevailed at Montenegro, 79-66, and then at home won against Slovenia, 92-84.

Serbia had two games at home, rolling to an 85-64 triumph over Austria and a 105-87 victory over Georgia.

France hit back from a 13-point half-time deficit at Belgium and won, 70-59, before hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina and pulling away for an 84-65 triumph.

Ten thousand fans in La Rioja watched Argentina beat Paraguay, 96-63, and the team then travelled north to Panama and battled to a 68-59 win.

Lithuania first won at Kosovo, 99-61, before turning on the style at home in Klaipeda and knocking off Poland, 75-55.

Australia first won impressively at Chinese Taipei, 104-66, before returning Down Under and putting away a determined Japan in Adelaide, 82-58.

Greece blew a late lead at Great Britain but then won in the most thrilling of fashions with a 3-pointer at the end of overtime, and also improved to 2-0 with an 82-61 romp over Israel in Heraklion.

Turkey were roared on by their fans in Bursa and defeated Latvia, 85-73, before putting on a riveting display at Ukraine and claiming a 67-60 triumph.

The exceptions to this are European champions Slovenia who had one win and suffered a loss to Spain, while Croatia lost both of their games.

FIBA