Nine must-watch games in Window 5 of the European Qualifiers

MUNICH (Germany) - Many teams can lock up their spots at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in the penultimate European Qualifiers window in November.

Here are nine of the upcoming games that fans should not miss.

You can subscribe to watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers on Courtside 1891, while you also can find out more about any geo-restrictions here.

Israel v Slovenia

Time: Friday, November 11 - 13:00 CET
Venue: Shlomo Group Arena, Tel Aviv

Israel have made major strides in becoming a European force but they still have not reached the FIBA Basketball World Cup since 1986, while Slovenia are determined to get back to the global stage after failing to qualify for 2019 - despite having been the reigning FIBA EuroBasket champions. With Finland already qualified for next summer's spectacle and Germany all but in, Israel are trying to chase down the Slovenians for the final spot in Group J, with a second matchup in Slovenia coming in February, 2023. This is close to a must-win for the hosts.

Greece v Latvia

Time: Friday, November 11 - 18:00 CET
Venue: Heraklion Arena "Dyo Aorakia", Heraklion

Latvia are perched atop Group I with a 5-1 record and travel to Greece knowing if they can defeat Hellas - who are 4-2 - their chances of getting to the FIBA World Cup next summer improve greatly. Latvia will also be extra motivated of trying to right the wrong of having missed out on the recently-completed FIBA EuroBasket 2022. Greece for their part could do with a win keep space from the trio of Belgium, Serbia and Turkey behind them in the standings.

Czech Republic v Montenegro

Time: Friday, November 11 - 18:15 CET
Venue: Enteria Arena, Pardubice

The Czechs find themselves in a tough spot to return to the FIBA Basketball World Cup after making their debut in 2019 as they look up at the rest of Group K in last place. The Czechs are a game behind both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary with Montenegro a game further adrift in the third spot behind Lithuania and France. The Czechs at least own the tiebreaker with Bosnia and Herzegovina but they are facing almost a must-win game against Montenegro.

Lithuania v France

Time: Friday, November 11 - 18:30 CET
Venue: Panevezio Arena, Panevezys

Both of these teams seem all but certain locks to book spots at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 - quite likely in this window in fact - and this contest could help decide who finishes first in Group K. The teams squared off in the Group Phase of FIBA EuroBasket 2022 - France winning 77-73 - but the main reason this game is listed as much-watch at the time of writing is because Victor Wembanyama is slated to make his France senior national team debut. After watching him help France take second place at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019, fans around the world have seen Wembanyama absolutely sky-rocket this season with Metropolitans 92.

Turkey v Belgium

Time: Friday, November 11 - 19:00 CET
Venue: Sinan Erdem Arena, Istanbul

Latvia and Greece top Group I with Belgium tucked in at third place at 3-3 ahead of Serbia thanks to two wins over the Serbs in the First Round. Turkey are a game behind both Belgium and Serbia at 2-4 but actually hold their fate in their own hands with two games still to come against both. With this game being a home contest in Istanbul, Turkey cannot really afford to lose. Belgium for their part go into the window knowing that Turkey beat them 78-63 at FIBA EuroBasket 2022 and will be looking for revenge.

Iceland v Georgia

Time: Friday, November 11 - 20:35 CET
Venue: Laugardsalsholl, Reykjavik

With Spain and Italy both at 5-1, Iceland find themselves in third place in Group L and hopeful of qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time - something for which the 3-3 Georgians are also shooting. The Laugardsalsholl in Reykjavik will probably be rocking as a victory over Georgia would go a long way in giving them a spot in next summer's showcase. Georgia will be looking to put behind them the disappointing 1-4 showing at FIBA EuroBasket 2022 in front of their home fans.

Italy v Spain

Time: Friday, November 11 - 21:00 CET
Venue: Vitrifrigo Arena, Pesaro

Italy and Spain will be playing for supremacy in Group L as both teams go into the game in Pesaro with 5-1 records and one win more than Iceland. Both teams will be looking to build upon their excellent performances at FIBA EuroBasket 2022 - Italy reaching the Quarter-Finals and Spain winning the title in surprising fashion.

Slovenia v Germany

Time: Monday, November 14 - 18:00 CET
Venue: Bonifika Arena, Koper

This game could have massive consequences on Group J as Germany may already have booked their ticket to next summer's spectacle in Asia and Slovenia could just follow depending on results from November 11. But these teams certainly played two fascinating games this past summer - Germany winning at home in the European Qualifiers by 19 points and then meeting up at FIBA EuroBasket less than two weeks later and Slovenia winning 88-80 thanks to a majestic 36 points from Luka Doncic.

Serbia v Turkey

 

Time: Monday, November 14 - 20:00 CET
Venue: Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, Belgrade

This game has huge consequences for Group I and two major powerhouses who put themselves behind the eight ball so far in the Qualifiers. Serbia will come into the game having played at Great Britain while Turkey hosted Belgium. Just the fact that both Serbia and Turkey enter the window trying to chase down Latvia, Greece and Belgium for three FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 spots with just four games remaining is enough to indicate the importance of this game.

FIBA