Montenegro and Slovenia stay perfect, defeat for Macedonia

Montenegro and Slovenia have made huge leaps towards securing first places in their groups by beating the main rivals for the top. Macedonia were defeated for second time in a row, against Hungary.

Montenegro national team are leaving Georgia with a highly important win, which almost literally counts more than 2 points in total, since it is their main rival for the first spot in Group F, which guarantees a place at the EuroBasket 2017 tournament. Montenegrins did not begin the game in the best possible fashion, since they were trailing by 6 points after 10 minutes, but they managed to turn the game around in the next two quarters and led by 8 before the beginning of the final one, when they managed to protect their lead and celebrate a 2-point win (76:74). Former Budućnost VOLI member Nikola Vučević was the top scorer in the end with 17 points for Montenegro.

Slovenia have outgunned Ukraine in the battle for the first place in Group E with convincing display. They were up by 8 points after 10 minutes, by 9 at half time and no less than 16 after 30 minutes of the game. The rest wasn"t just a formality, since the point difference also matters in the battle for the top, that will secure an EuroBasket2017 berth for the better team and it ended in a 7-point win by the home side (84:77). Former Krka member Zoran Dragić had 28 points to lead the way in scoring for Slovenia, while former Union Olimpija sniper Klemen Prepelič added 12.

Macedonia have suffered second defeat in a row. After being defeated on the road in Great Britain in the second round, they lost at home to Hungary with the score 76:66, playing without freshly injured Damjan Stojanovski. The Hungarians have dominated the court in the second half, which they won by 13 points and this was the period which has granted them the victory. Vojdan Stojanovski was the top scorer of Macedonia with 16 points, while former Zadar member Romeo Travis added 12.

EuroBasket 2017 Qualifyers, Round 3, Group E, Wednesday, 7.9.2016:

STANDINGS:

Group C:

Group E:

Group F:

Group G:

(Photo: FIBA)