Twelve Nations Secure EuroBasket Round of 16 Berths
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CONTENT:
Twelve of the 16 available places in EuroBasket’s single-elimination stage are now locked in after the Sept. 2 schedule concluded. The most recent qualifiers include Luka Dončić’s Slovenia, along with Israel and France, all advancing out of Group D.
Slovenia claimed its ticket by defeating Iceland 87-79, while Israel edged Belgium 92-89. Those outcomes eliminated both Iceland and Belgium and ensured that Poland, Slovenia, Israel and France will represent Group D in the knockout rounds.
Although France and Slovenia own only 2-2 records in group play, each holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Belgium, preventing the Belgians from catching them even if Thursday’s finales create a three-way tie at 2-3.
Group A also clarified its picture. Latvia joined unbeaten Serbia and Turkey in the next phase after Monday’s win over Portugal. The group’s final berth will be decided Wednesday when Portugal (1-3) meets Estonia (1-3). Czechia, at 0-4, has already been eliminated.
In Group B, Germany and Finland had previously punched their tickets, and Lithuania followed suit Monday by beating Finland to move to 3-1. The victory was costly, however, as point guard Rokas Jokubaitis suffered a significant knee injury.
Nikola Vučević’s Montenegro (1-3) can wrap up the last Group B spot with a win over winless Great Britain on Wednesday. If Great Britain (0-4) pulls an upset, Sweden (1-3) could sneak in by defeating Lithuania. A three-way tie at 1-4 would be settled by point differential, where Sweden (-12) currently holds a sizable edge over Montenegro (-71) and Great Britain (-136).
Group C remains the most unsettled. Italy has joined Greece in the round of 16, while Cyprus (0-4) is out. Spain (2-1), Georgia (2-2) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-2) are chasing the remaining two slots. Spain is facing Italy today; a Spanish win would clinch advancement, leaving Thursday’s Georgia–Bosnia matchup to decide the final berth. If Spain loses to both Italy and Greece, a Bosnia win over Georgia would oust the Spaniards because Georgia owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Teams already qualified for the Round of 16
Group A: Serbia (4-0), Turkey (4-0), Latvia (2-2)
Group B: Germany (4-0), Finland (3-1), Lithuania (3-1)
Group C: Greece (3-1), Italy (2-1)
Group D: Poland (3-0), Israel (3-1), France (2-1), Slovenia (2-0)
Teams still in contention
Group A (one spot): Estonia (1-3), Portugal (1-3)
Group B (one spot): Montenegro (1-3), Sweden (1-3), Great Britain (0-4)
Group C (two spots): Spain (2-1), Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-2), Georgia (2-2)
The round-of-16 field will be finalized after Wednesday’s and Thursday’s remaining group games.
Source: HoopsRumors
