There are still 13 spots to be decided for FIBA EuroBasket 2022 as we enter the final window of the Qualifiers for Europe’s flagship event, set to take place next year in Czech Republic, Germany, Georgia and Italy.
Seven teams – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Slovenia, Spain and Ukraine – have joined the four co-hosts in booking their places at the Final Round with as many as 14 teams in contention to booked their tickets already on Gameday 5.
For the full game schedule and tip-off times, click here.
GROUP A – GLIWICE (POL)
8/12 games played
Upcoming Games – February 19
16:30 CET – Romania v Israel (First meeting: 63-87)
19:30 CET – Poland v Spain (First meeting: 80-69)
What’s on the line in Gliwice?
- Israel have already qualified for the Final Round;
- Poland would qualify with a win over Spain; or if Romania lose to Israel;
- Spain have already qualified for the Final Round;
- Romania would be eliminated with a win over Spain; or if Romania lose to Israel.
Game To Watch
Poland v Spain. Both teams enter the final window with the same record, but it’s Spain who have the comfort of already having their place secured. Poland claimed an impressive 11-point victory in the last meeting between the two, but could advance even if they are unable to repeat the success if Israel maintain their unbeaten record.
GROUP B – PERM (RUS)
6/12 games played
Upcoming Games – February 18
14:30 CET – Italy v North Macedonia
Upcoming Games – February 19
11:30 CET – Italy v Estonia (First meeting: 87-81)
14:30 CET – North Macedonia v Russia (First meeting: 67-77)
What’s on the line in Perm?
- Italy have already qualified for the Final Round;
- Russia would qualify with a win against North Macedonia, if Italy beat North Macedonia on February 18;
- Estonia cannot qualify or be eliminated yet;
- North Macedonia cannot qualify or be eliminated yet.
Game To Watch
North Macedonia v Russia. The two teams meet again in Perm following Russia’s 10-point win in February, 2020. That was the last time that North Macedonia took to the floor and they face a tough ask with four games in five days in a spell that curtails with what could be a decisive matchup with Estonia. Meanwhile, a win for Russia could lock up their Final Round spot.
GROUP C – VILNIUS (LTU)
8/12 games played
Upcoming Games – February 20
14:30 CET – Belgium v Denmark (First meeting: 88-72)
17:30 CET – Czech Republic v Lithuania (First meeting: 89-97)
What’s on the line in Vilnius?
- Belgium would qualify with a win over Denmark;
- They can also qualify with a defeat of 15 points or less, if Lithuania beat Czech Republic
- Denmark cannot qualify or be eliminated yet;
- Lithuania cannot qualify or be eliminated yet;
- Czech Republic have already qualified for the Final Round as hosts.
Game To Watch
Belgium v Denmark. The top three sides are fighting for two spots with Czech Republic qualifying as co-hosts, which raises the stakes in this contest. While the fates of Denmark and Lithuania will go down to Gameday 6 regardless of their results, Belgium have the chance to cement their place on Saturday.
GROUP D – ISTANBUL (TUR)
8/12 games played
Upcoming Games – February 20
14:00 CET – Turkey v Sweden (First meeting: 80-87)
17:00 CET – Croatia v Netherlands (First meeting: 69-59)
What’s on the line in Istanbul?
- Croatia are qualified for the Final Round;
- Netherlands would qualify with a win over Croatia;
- They would also qualify if Sweden beat Turkey;
- Sweden would qualify with a win over Turkey;
- They would be eliminated if they lose by 8 points or more and Netherlands beat Croatia;
- Turkey would qualify with a win of 13 points or more;
- A win of 8 points or more would suffice if Netherlands beat Croatia;
- They would be eliminated with a defeat to Sweden
Game To Watch
Turkey v Sweden. Huge. Turkey gave themselves a crucial lifeline with their first win in November having started out 0-3 – including a seven-point defeat in Stockholm, and they know that another loss would end their hopes. Sweden just need any win to advance, though will be aware of the challenge that awaits in Istanbul as they too could have their dreams dashed before the final day.
GROUP E – TBILISI (GEO)
8/12 games played
Upcoming Games – February 19
12:00 CET – Finland v Switzerland (First meeting: 69-64)
15:00 CET – Georgia v Serbia (First meeting: 94-90)
What’s on the line in Tbilisi?
- Georgia are qualified for the Final Round as hosts;
- Serbia would qualify for the Final round with a win;
- They would also qualify if Switzerland beat Finland;
- Finland would qualify with a win;
- They would be eliminated with a defeat to Switzerland of 6 points or more;
- Switzerland would qualify with a win over Finland of 6 points or more;
- They would be eliminated with a defeat to Finland.
Game To Watch
Georgia v Serbia. It was a classic encounter when the two sides met in Belgrade as Georgia came away with an important four-point victory. Despite having their place already secure as co-hosts, Georgia have won four out of four so far, while Serbia’s shock defeat to Switzerland has left them needing to avoid further upsets to seal their expected place.
GROUP F – KYIV (UKR)
7/12 games played
Upcoming Games – February 18
19:00 CET – Slovenia v Hungary (First meeting: 75-77)
Upcoming Games – February 19
17:15 CET – Austria v Hungary (First meeting)
Upcoming Games – February 20
14:00 CET – Ukraine v Slovenia (First meeting: 73-84)
What’s on the line in Kyiv?
- Slovenia are already qualified for the Final Round;
- Ukraine are already qualified for the Final Round;
- Hungary would qualify for the Final Round with a win over Slovenia or Austria;
- Austria would be eliminated with a defeat;
- They would also be eliminated if Hungary beat Slovenia.
GROUP G – PODGORICA (MNE)
8/12 games played
Upcoming Games – February 20
16:00 CET – Germany v Great Britain (First meeting: 73-81)
19:45 CET – Montenegro v France (First meeting: 66-85)
What’s on the line in Podgorica?
- France would qualify with a win over Montenegro;
- Great Britain would qualify with a win over Germany if France beat Montenegro;
- Montenegro would be eliminated with a defeat to France if Great Britain beat Germany;
- Germany are already qualified for the Final Round as hosts.
Game To Watch
Germany v Great Britain. It would have to get very wrong for France not to advance from the group, meaning that Great Britain and Montenegro are effectively competing for the remaining spot. GB hold the upper-hand as a result of owning the head-to-head and if they can repeat their victory over Germany from last year, they could have an early celebration – and on Montenegro’s home patch, too.
GROUP H – RIGA (LAT)
8/12 games played
Upcoming Games – February 20
14:30 CET – Greece v Bosnia and Herzegovina (First meeting: 70-65)
17:30 CET – Latvia v Bulgaria (First meeting: 104-110)
What’s on the line in Riga?
- Greece are already qualified for the Final Round;
- Bosnia and Herzegovina are already qualified for the Final Round;
- Bulgaria would qualify for the Final Round with a win;
- Latvia would qualify for the Final Round with a win of 7 points or more.
Game To Watch
Latvia v Bulgaria. With the top two teams already securing their spots, it leaves Latvia and Bulgaria to battle it out for the final place from the group. Bulgaria won a high-scoring thriller by six in the last encounter so the head-to-head is on the line. If Latvia win by less than six points then the battle goes into Gameday 6, though both teams have a chance to avoid that situation.
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