2019 WC Qualifiers: Montenegro qualified for the World Cup
On Monday night, ABA League countries were pretty successful in their World Cup Qualifiers campaigns. Montenegro got defeated by Latvia, but were close enough to their opponents to still qualify for the World Cup. Slovenia have beaten Ukraine, while Croatia were defeated by Hungary.
(Photo: FIBA)
It was a historic evening for the Montenegro basketball fans, as their national team have qualified for the World Cup. In order to do so, they needed a victory against Latvia or a defeat with the margin smaller than 9 points. In the end, they lost by 6, which was enough for them to book a ticket for the World Cup.
Slovenia have prevailed over Ukraine for the end of their World Cup Qualififers campaign, after an overtime thriller. Zoran Dragić scored an impossible three-point shot attempt to take the teams into the extra period and in the final five minutes, the Slovenians were more focused and celebrated an 85:84 win.
Croatia have suffered a blowout defeat on the road in Hungary, where the hosts were in control throughout the game. They have led by 8 points after first quarter and by 15 at halftime. In the second half they have easily cruised towards the victory with the final score of 84:65.
2019 World Cup Qualifiers Second Round, Group I, Gameday 6, Monday, 25.2.2019:
Montenegro – LATVIA 74:80 (8:16, 23:20, 24:24, 19:20)
Needham 22, Todorović 13 | Strelnieks 25, Meiers 12.
SLOVENIA – Ukraine 85:84 (17:20, 13:21, 18:17, 28:18, 9:8)
Murić 16, Špan 15 | Kravtsov 16, Pustozvonov 13.
Group J:
HUNGARY – Croatia 84:65 (24:16, 24:17, 18:15, 18:17)
Keller 21, Ferencz and Vojvoda 19 | Katić 15, Bilan 12.
