European Qualifiers: Five must-watch matchups in the February window

MUNICH (Germany) - There's plenty to look forward to in the latest installment of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers action as the stakes are raised in pursuit of qualification.

The middle window of the First Round sees the 32 teams battle it out across home-and-away double-headers with the chance of moving onto the next phase.

Here's a look at five must-see matchups this month:

BELGIUM v LATVIA

Time: Friday, February 25 - 20:30 CET
Place: Mons, Mons Arena

Time: Monday, February 28 - 18:30 CET
Place: Riga, Arena Riga

An intriguing battle in Group A as unbeaten Belgium take on Latvia. The two teams meet first in Mons before the return fixture in Riga three days later. Belgium upset Serbia in Mons to improve their record to 2-0, while Latvia picked up their first win after an agonizing one-point loss to Serbia in Belgrade. The outlook of the group could change if Latvia were able to pull off a double, but they could also find themselves in danger if Belgium are able to preserve their unbeaten start.

GREECE v TURKEY

Time: Friday, February 25 - 17:00 CET
Place: Ano Liosia, Ano Liosia Olympic Hall

Time: Monday, February 28 - 18:00 CET
Place: Istanbul, Sinan Erdem Arena

Two titans of European basketball lock horns twice in three days in Group B action. Greece and Turkey have 1-1 records - alongside Great Britain and Belarus - so it's all very much to play for in the group with the chance to seize control in the February window. In the November window, the two teams were both far from their best in road defeats before bouncing back in more convincing fashion on home court. When they last met, it was Greece who prevailed with an 18-point victory in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Victoria, Canada last summer.

CROATIA v SWEDEN

Time: Friday, February 25 - 18:30 CET
Place: Zagreb, Drazen Petrovic Basketball Center

Time: Monday, February 28 - 19:00 CET
Place: Norrkoping, Stadium Arena

Huge implications in the group for this double-header. Croatia are in early must-win territory after starting their campaign with back-to-back losses and now have Damir Mulaomerovic at the helm as they look to change their fortunes. As for Sweden, they defeated Finland to make a winning start and have been able to call upon the services of Jonas Jerebko for the window. The two sides also met during the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers with Croatia winning on both occasions on their way to securing qualification as Sweden missed out.

ISRAEL v GERMANY

Time: Friday, February 25 - 13:30 CET
Place: Tel Aviv, Shlomo Group Arena

Time: Monday, February 28 - 19:30 CET
Place: Heidelberg, SNP Drome

Israel have made an unbeaten start to Group D, while Germany ended a six-game losing streak in Qualifiers with an important win against Poland. Their double-header begins in Tel Aviv before moving onto Heidelberg with all four games in the group so far decided by 10 points or less. Germany bounced back from a three-point home defeat with a three-point success on the road, while Israel continue to impress in the Qualifiers having eased through to FIBA EuroBasket 2022 and they have a chance to pull away.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA v LITHUANIA

Time: Thursday, February 24 - 20:00 CET
Place: Tuzla, Mejdan

Time: Sunday, February 27 - 18:30 CET
Place: Vilnius, Avia Solutions Group Arena

The only group that contains two unbeaten teams. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lithuania are both amongst the top scoring teams across the European Qualifiers and it sets up the promise of two entertaining encounters. Bosnia and Herzegovina will look to seize control of the group as they host the first matchup in Tuzla, while if Lithuania can prevail then they have the prospect of a 4-0 start if they are also victorious in Vilnius. With the other two teams in the group currently without a win, the chance to lock up a Second Round spot is prominent.

FIBA