MIES (Switzerland) - Basketball fans turned out in droves around the world to watch important qualifying games in the last international window for the FIBA Continental Cups.
Whether the showdowns were in Asia, Africa, Europe, or the Americas, arenas were filled to the brim by spectators cheering loudly for their national teams.
The largest crowds consisted of the 11,738 at China's Shenzhen Sports Center to watch China face Japan, and the 11,135 at the Xiaomi Arena in Riga to see Latvia remain unbeaten with a victory over Spain.
Africa registered its largest crowds for some time as fans flocked to arenas in Madagascar and Libya, while games in the Americas also had electric atmospheres with numerous supporters not just showing up for FIBA games but cheering wildly for national teams.
Japan was the national team that represented the continent at the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 but China benefitted from the charged-up environment created by the 11,738 fans (90 percent capacity) by recording one of their biggest triumphs of all time against Japan, 100-58.
Thailand had an unforgettable time that same day when they squared off against traditional Asian powers Korea in Bangkok. The Thais missed a couple of free-throws at the end to let the Koreans off the hook with a 91-90 win in the Nimibutr Stadium, which was at 98 percent capacity with 5,495 spectators. This broke their record biggest attendance ever for the basketball national team game in the country which was set in the previous window.
Filipino fans showed up in big numbers to add to a magical vibe at the game between New Zealand and Gilas on February 23 at the Spark Arena. A total of 8,345 spectators were on hand to see the Tall Blacks win the game, 87-70.
A hugely impressive audience of 7,924 showed up at the Arena Potisi and had a wonderful time watching Mexico defeat Canada, 98-94. The fans were in such a good mood that a Mexican wave broke out in the second half and they danced in the stands for joy as the team signed off its AmeriCup Qualifiers campaign with a victory.
There were 7,555 spectators at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente on February 20 for Puerto Rico's game against the USA. USA edged the Boricuas, 72-71.
Other big turnouts included the 6,157 that watched hosts Panama upset Brazil, 81-74, at the Arena Roberto Duran, (4,117 had seen Panama beat Paraguay on February 21), and the 4,100 (100 percent capacity) crowd that saw the Dominican Republic host Canada and win, 74-65.
In Africa, there were encouraging attendances with five games in particular leaving fans' heads spinning. The Palais Sports Mahamasina was rocking with 5,500 spectators for Madagascar's home game against Central African Republic on Sunday, February 23.
On that same day, the Grand Hall of Sports in Tripoli was at 100 percent capacity with 5,000 fans on hand for Libya's game against Uganda. Just a few days before, Madagascar had 4,500 for their game as the Malagasy stunned Egypt, 82-80. There had been 4,000 fans in the Mahamasina on February 21 to see Egypt win over CAF and Cote d'Ivoire defeat Madagascar.
Europe had yet another memorable window with performances on the court and spectators in the stands.
The TBF Basketball Development Centre in Istanbul had 8,655 spectators for the Türkiye v Italy game, and in the Tblisi Arena, 8,500 spectators cheered Georgia to victory over Denmark.
Hungary needed a win to keep their EuroBasket 2025 hopes alive and they got it against Italy in the PalaCalafiore in Reggio Calabria in front of 6,00 fans. Iceland's home victory over Türkiye, however, meant that they qualified for the EuroBasket instead and not the Hungarians.
Sweden's huge attendance for national team games continued as they went up against Montenegro on February 23 and won, 86-83, with 7,985 in the Hovet Arena in Stockholm.
France's Co'met arena in Orleans had 6,769 spectators singing songs and cheering like there was no tomorrow when Bosnia and Herzegovina showed up to play on Monday night. Fans were a part of a big spectacle as Les Bleus won at the buzzer on Elio Okobo's free-throw line jumper.
In Estonia, the Unibet Arena was full to capacity with 6,774 spectators for their game against North Macedonia. The Metro Arena in Finland (6,146 fans) and Enteria Arena in Czechia (6,117) watched respective games against Serbia and Greece.
The latter was won by Greece after Vasileios Toliopoulos forced overtime with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of regulation.
FIBA