World Cup Qualifiers: Big wins for Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro
Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro have scored valuable wins in Round 2 of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. North Macedonia suffered another defeat.
(Photo: FIBA)
Bosnia and Herzegovina have remained perfect in 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers as they triumphed against Bulgaria on the road – 85:75. Bosnia and Herzegovina have been building their lead gradually throughout the match, while they did not let their opponents make a shocking comeback late in the 4th quarter, even though Bulgarian team managed to reduce the gap to 6 points at 76:70.
Montenegro have seized their 1st win in the qualifiers as they prevailed over Portugal at home court – 83:69. Montenegro gained a double-digit lead already in the 1st quarter – 24:14, while even though Portugal have managed to split the gap by half until the halftime – 41:36, there was no fear for the home team that they would lose the game. Montenegro increased the pace once again after the halftime break and eventually they picked up quite a comfortable win.
Unfortunately, North Macedonia have remained winless in the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers as they lost the away game against Ukraine – 78:61. Despite having an excellent first half after which they were in front by 4 points – 30:34, North Macedonian team weren’t able to keep that lead in the rest of the match. Ukraine have taken over the lead already by the end of the 3rd quarter – 49:47, while the hosts them went on to win the last quarter by 29:14 and to grab a valuable win.
2023 World Cup Qualifiers Group A, Round 2, Monday, 29.11.2021:
Group E:
MONTENEGRO – Portugal 83:69 (24:14, 17:22, 23:20, 19:13)
Cobbs 22, Mihailović 16 | Relvao 16, Ventura 14.
Group F:
Bulgaria – BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 75:85 (19:25, 23:25, 13:19, 20:16)
Kostov 13, Minchev 12 | Halilović 21, Musa 17.
Group G:
UKRAINE – North Macedonia 78:61 (14:17, 16:17, 19:13, 29:14)
Pustovyi 18, Lukashov 13 | Krstevski 14 Wiley 12.
