WC Qualifiers: Big victories for BiH, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia

On the road in Athens, Montenegro achieved a sensational road win over Greece in a tight game, where they have been slightly in front for the majority of the playing time and Greece had a chance to take the game into overtime with their last shot, but failed to convert it into points and Montenegro prevailed 67:65. For the winning side, Zoran Nikolić led the way in scoring with 19 points on his record, while Emir Hadžibegović added 10 points.

On the road in Portugal, Romania suffered a defeat with the final score 99:82 in a game where the hosts have been in front throughout the playing time, ever since they won the opening quarter by 13  points (25:12). For Romania, Nicolescu had 25 points, while Cate and Maciuca followed him with 12 points scored each.

Serbia hosted Turkey in a derby game in Group C in Aleksandar Nikolić Sports Hall in Belgrade and in a game, where the visiting side has been in front for the majority of the playing time, Turkey eventually prevailed convincingly, with the final score of 78:82, as Bogoljub Marković and Ognjen Dobrić headed Serbia’s squad in scoring this time by scoring 19 and 17 points, respectively.

In the same group, BiH had an easy task against Switzerland. The hosts took an 8-point lead already in the opening quarter (20:12) and increased it to 14 by halftime (41:27). In the remainder of the game, the home side managed to even increase their advantage and keep the win at home with the final score of 84:60 For BiH, Adin Vrabac was the top scorer, as he had 15 points. Aleksandar Lazić added 14.

Croatia have achieved an important derby victory over Germany at home in Dražen Petrović Arena and they did it with style – after a second half comeback. Germany opened the game in a more successful fashion, as they prevailed in the opening quarter by 6 points (20:26). Croatia melted the lead to 4 points by halftime and turned it completely upside-down in the third, after which the hosts led by 3 points. In the remainder of the game, Croatians managed to reject all the charges by Germany and prevailed in the end with the score of 93:88. Dario Šarić scored 23 points for Croatia and Mario Hezonja 21.

In Group F, Austria suffered home defeat in Vienna against the Netherlands in a game, where they have been behind throughout the game. In the end, the Dutch side prevailed 81:71. For Austria, Bogić Vujošević led the way with 23 points scored.

In Group H, Slovenia have dominated the court in Bonifika Arena in Koper, as they have edged out the Czech Republic. The squad, led from the bench by head coach Aleksander Sekulić have been up by 4 points after the first quarter and by 8 at halftime. Just when we expected a fierce battle by the visiting side in their attempt of a comeback in the second half, the total domination by  Slovenia happened after the big break. The hosts won the third quarter alone by 17 points and were ahead by 25 before the last quarter. In the end, they obtained an easy win with the final score of 99:59. Žiga Samar led the way in scoring with 19 points on his record, while Gregor Hrovat added 17 points.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, First Round Group B, Round 3, Friday, 27 February 2026:

Greece – MONTENEGRO 65:67 (17:19, 21:21, 14:15, 13:12)
K. Antetokounmpo 13, Papanikolaou 12 | Z. Nikolić 19, Hadžibegović 10.

PORTUGAL – Romania 99:82 (25:12, 29:34, 21:15, 24:21)
Brito 32, Williams 25 | Nicolescu 25, Cate & Maciuca 12.

Group C:

Serbia – TURKEY 78:82 (13:22, 18:24, 23:11, 24:25)
Marković 19, Dobrić 17 | Biberović 22, Osman 16.

BiH – Switzerland 84:60 (20:12, 21:15, 23:16, 20:17)
Vrabac 15, Lazić 14 | Schumacher 19, Maniema and Mambo 10.

Group E:

CROATIA – Germany 93:88 (20:26, 26:24, 29:22, 18:16)
Šarić 23, Hezonja 21 | Kramer 22, Thiemann 17.

Group F:

Austria – NETHERLANDS 71:81 (13:17, 21:23, 19:15, 18:26)
Vujošević 23, Schott 15 | Van der Vuurst 25, Hollanders 11.

Group H:

SLOVENIA – Czech Republic 99:59 (20:16, 24:20, 31:14, 24:9)
Samar 19, Hrovat 17 | Kyzlink 18, Balint 10.