MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Pre-Qualifiers resume on Thursday with eight games and three spots remaining for the Second Round.
The stakes will be high for the nations involved, with only Austria confirmed in the next stage at this point - with the three group winners joined by the best runner-up in advancing.
Here’s how things stand going into the third window, with games played February 20 and 23.
Group A
# | TEAM | GP | W | L | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Switzerland | 4 | 4 | 0 | 104 | 8 |
2 | Ireland | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
3 | Azerbaijan | 4 | 1 | 3 | -63 | 5 |
4 | Kosovo | 4 | 1 | 3 | -41 | 5 |
Schedule
February 20: Switzerland vs Ireland - 19:30 (CET) - Fribourg (SWI) February 20: Kosovo vs Azerbaijan - 19:30 (CET) - Pristina (KOS) February 23: Azerbaijan vs Ireland - 14:00 (CET) - Baku (AZE) February 23: Kosovo vs Switzerland - 19:30 (CET) - Pristina (KOS)
Unbeaten Switzerland can book their place into the Second Round of the Qualifiers with a win on Thursday at home to second-placed Ireland - or by claiming the head-to-head in a loss - with a road trip to Pristina to face Kosovo, concluding their Group Phase.
The Swiss have met expectations so far, winning all four games by an average margin of 26 points. They are led by the deadly trio of Anthony Polite, who leads the team in scoring with 14.5 points a contest, alongside Jonathan Kazadi and Selim Fofana, who both average 14 points a game.
Ireland, though, has shown tremendous resilience in these Qualifiers. After dropping their first two games against Kosovo and Switzerland, they came home in the second window to beat Azerbaijan and exact revenge against Kosovo - putting them at 2-2 heading into their final window.
But Azerbaijan and Kosovo are still lingering, with the Irish traveling to Baku in the final game of the window in what could be a crucial battle in who could finish second. Kosovo host Azerbaijan and Switzerland in their final two games of Group A.
Watch out for: Salim Fofana (SWI); Sean Flood (IRL); Shirzad Shirzadov (AZE); Dardan Berisha (KOS)
WORLD RANK | COUNTRY | ZONE RANK | CURRENT POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
63 | Switzerland | 33 | 178.9 |
87 | Ireland | 39 | 114.9 |
116 | Azerbaijan | 44 | 74.7 |
76 | Kosovo | 35 | 124 |
Group B
# | TEAM | GP | W | L | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Romania | 3 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 5 |
2 | Luxembourg | 3 | 1 | 2 | -16 | 4 |
3 | Norway | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
February 20: Norway vs Luxembourg - 19:00 (CET) - Oslo (NOR) February 23: Romania vs Norway - 18:00 (CET) - Oradea (ROU)
Romania holds a slight edge at the top in a tightly contested Group B, but Luxembourg and Norway will have their say in an intriguing two-game window in which anything can happen.
The current group leaders host Norway, knowing that a win will see them through. They will look to the 7’0” Alex Olah and free-scoring Kris Richard to secure their spot. Olah had 16 points and 6 blocks, leading his side to a 75-62 success the last time these two teams met. Richard leads the team; averaging 22.0 points in two games.
On the other hand, Norway will look to their high-scoring duo of Harald Frey and Chris-Ebou Ndow, who have averaged 22 points and 14.5 points, respectively, in their two games to complete the double over Luxembourg before concluding their campaign with a trip to Oradea to play Romania in what could potentially prove to be a winner-take-all clash.
Luxembourg will only play once in this window, going head-to-head with Romania, whom they lost 84-78 in Luxembourg City in their last meeting. Ben Kovac had 23 points, and the team’s leading marksman, Clancy Rugg, added 19. They not only need to win themselves, but the other result will be key for their chances.
Watch out for: Alex Olah (ROU); Harald Frey (NOR); Ben Kovac (LUX)
WORLD RANK | COUNTRY | ZONE RANK | CURRENT POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
62 | Romania | 32 | 180.8 |
82 | Luxembourg | 37 | 118.4 |
81 | Norway | 36 | 119.3 |
Group C
# | TEAM | GP | W | L | +/- | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Austria | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100 | 6 |
2 | Armenia | 3 | 1 | 2 | -59 | 4 |
3 | Albania | 2 | 0 | 2 | -41 | 2 |
February 20: Albania vs Armenia - 19:00 (CET) - Durres (ALB) February 23: Austria vs Albania - 15:00 (CET) - Schwechat (AUT)
With Austria comfortably through as Group C winners, and Armenia on the verge of second, their game against Albania will be an important encounter.
The two meet in Durres on Thursday. Armenia holds the advantage, having beaten their Albanian counterparts 84-79, thanks to a 31-point outburst from Andre Spight. The Armenians will no doubt lean on their guards, Spight and Chris Jones, for the majority of the scoring load, but they will need to work as a unit if they are to have any chance of making it as the best runner-up.
The winless Albanians will have have a much tougher ask to finish second but will be the sole team to play twice in this upcoming window, with a trip to Austria completing their campaign. Juljan Hamati has been outstanding, posting 16.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in two losing efforts, but they will go into their upcoming games with nothing to lose.
Austria completes its Group C campaign at home to Albania, and thoughts quickly turn to the Second Round. Despite its confirmed position, Austria will still aim to finish unbeaten in these Pre-Qualifiers.
Watch out for: Juljan Hamati (ALB); Andre Spight (ARM); Erol Ersek (AUT)
WORLD RANK | COUNTRY | ZONE RANK | CURRENT POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
65 | Austria | 34 | 162.6 |
93 | Armenia | 40 | 98.2 |
99 | Albania | 42 | 89.5 |
FIBA