World Cup Qualifiers: New wins for BiH and Slovenia
In the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia have celebrated victories by beating Belgium and Montenegro, respectively. Croatia and Serbia defeated.
(Photo: FIBA)
Friday night has offered us a clash of the ABA League countries in the World Cup Qualifiers, as Montenegro have been hosting Slovenia with the guests getting away with a pair of points. The reigning European champions have gone off to the break with a 3-point lead, but truly turned the game their way in the last quarter, when they were fully in command in court and celebrated a 75:63 win in the end. Klemen Prepelič shined for Slovenia with 19 points, while Jaka Blažič added 14. For Montenegro Zoran Nikolić had 15 points and Derek Needham 12.
Bosnia and Herzegovina have achieved a huge win at home against Belgium with the score of 72:70, where Nemanja Gordić was the hero, not only as the top scorer with 17 points, but also because he scored the crucial pair of free throws in the end, which set the final score. Gordić of Budućnost VOLI was followed by Cedevita duo Džanan Musa and Andrija Stipanović in scoring – the latter two contributed 16 points each.
Croatia have suffered an unexpected defeat at home by Romania, as Filip Krušlin failed to score his game-winning shot attempt and the guests have celebrated 58:56 win in Zadar. For Croatia Hrvoje Perić was the top scorer with 19 points, while Luka Žorić added 11.
Serbia have been defeated on the road in Frankfurt by Germany in the exciting encounter until the end. The final score was 79:74 in favour of the hosts. For Serbia Miroslav Raduljica led the way in scoring with 22 points, while Ivan Paunić added 11.
2017 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers, Group A, Round 3, Friday, 23.2.2018:
Montenegro – SLOVENIA 63:75 (13:16, 16:16, 22:23, 12:20)
Nikolić 15, Needham 12 | Prepelič 19, Blažič 14.
STANDINGS:
| Group A | W/L | P |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Spain | 3/0 | 6 |
| 2 Slovenia | 2/1 | 5 |
| 3 Montenegro | 1/2 | 4 |
| 4 Belarus | 0/3 | 3 |
Group D, Round 3, Friday, 23.2.2018:
Croatia – ROMANIA 56:58 (16:16, 12:5, 10:16, 18:21)
Perić 19, Žorić 11 | Kuti 16, Cate 13.
STANDINGS:
| Group D | W/L | P |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Romania | 2/1 | 5 |
| 2 Italy | 2/0 | 4 |
| 3 Netherlands | 1/1 | 3 |
| 4 Croatia | 0/3 | 3 |
Group E, Round 3, Friday, 23.2.2018:
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA – Belgium 72:70 (17:17, 17:11, 11:23, 27:19)
Gordić 17, Musa & Stipanović 16 | Serron 19, Tabu 13.
STANDINGS:
| Group E | W/L | P |
|---|---|---|
| 1 BiH | 2/1 | 5 |
| 2 France | 2/0 | 4 |
| 3 Russia | 1/1 | 3 |
| 4 Belgium | 0/3 | 3 |
Group G, Round 3, Friday, 23.2.2018:
GERMANY – Serbia 79:74 (20:26, 20:15, 17:18, 22:15)
Benzing 17, Hartenstein 11 | Raduljica 22, Paunić 11.
STANDINGS:
| Group G | W/L | P |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Germany | 3/0 | 6 |
| 2 Serbia | 2/1 | 5 |
| 3 Georgia | 1/2 | 4 |
| 4 Austria | 0/3 | 3 |
Round 4:
Group A, Monday, 26.2.2018:
Belarus – Slovenia (17:30)
Spain – Montenegro (19:00)
Group D, Monday, 26.2.2018:
Croatia – Netherlands (20:00)
Group E, Sunday, 25.2.2018:
Russia – Bosnia & Herzegovina (15:00)
Group G, Round 4, Sunday, 25.2.2018:
Austria – Serbia (20:20)
