MUNICH (Germany) – Five more teams booked their places in the Second Round of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers on Saturday, with one more exciting Gameday to come on Tuesday.
Latvia, Bulgaria and Montenegro confirmed their passage into the next phase, alongside Croatia and Denmark, who have their places secured even though a top-two finish in their group is not yet guaranteed.
As well as the winners and runners-up of each group advancing, the three best-ranked teams in third place will also qualify.
The final round of games in this window takes place on Tuesday.
Key Storylines
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Latvia, Bulgaria and Montenegro win to advance;
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Okosun heroics help Denmark to stunning win over Croati as both go through;
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Ireland come from behind to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Smalls near triple-double.
Gameday 5 Highs
Efficiency: Kamiah Smalls (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – 37
Points: Kamiah Smalls (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – 27
Rebounds: Lin Schwartz (Switzerland) – 16
Assists: Terezia Palenikova (Slovakia); Julia Niemojewska (Poland); Holly Winterburn (GB) – 10
Steals: Frida Formann (Denmark); Daniel Raber (Israel) – 6
Blocks: Multiple players – 3
Latvia punch ticket on the road
Latvia sealed their spot in the Second Round of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers thanks to a 73-64 victory over the Netherlands.
Kitija Laksa hit five triples to lead Latvia with 18 points, and she also pulled down 6 boards. Point guard Laura Cornelius fronted the Dutch with 16 points and 7 rebounds.
In the other Group B battle, Slovenia bested Estonia 84-54 thanks to a stellar performance from Zala Friskovec, who hit five three-pointers for 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Unbeaten Bulgaria advance with Montenegro
Bulgaria overcame a stubborn Ukraine side 81-66 to punch their ticket to the next phase of the Qualifiers.
The Bulgarians led from start to finish, but despite holding a sizable 71-47 lead in the early stages of the fourth, found Ukraine full of determination and spirit as they valiantly tried chasing the game. Borislava Dimitrova paced the winners with 24 points on 54 percent shooting. Alina Iagupova had 24 in vain for Ukraine.
The win confirmed Montenegro’s place in the Second Round, as they dispatched of Azerbaijan 94-35. A strong start, leading to the Montenegrins leading 22-7, set the tone for what turned out to be a comfortable victory.
Forward Ksenija Scepanovic was a rebound shy of a double-double as she settled with 21 points and 9 rebounds on a sublime 10-for-13 shooting. Polina Shchukina led Azerbaijan with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Denmark beat Croatia as both go through
Croatia were humbled 81-61 by Denmark, who have blown Group F wide open with a three-way tie at the top with Greece. Julianna Okosun enjoyed a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds to pace the victors with both teams knowing they would advance – at worst – as a best-ranked third placed side.
And, Ireland came from behind to put on a late fourth-quarter show to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 81-78. The Irish were led by Hazel Finn, who had 21 points, denying Kamiah Smalls, who had an incredible performance, with 27 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists for the Bosnians.
ResultsSaturday, March 14
Group A
Luxembourg 52-76 Israel
Bosnia and Herzegovina 78-81 Ireland
Group B
Slovenia 84-54 Estonia
Netherlands 64-73 Latvia
Group C
Slovakia 75-44 Cyprus
Romania 50-75 Poland
Group D
Norway 68-81 Switzerland
Great Britain 83-71 Austria
Group E
Montenegro 94-35 Azerbaijan
Bulgaria 81-66 Ukraine
Group F
Greece 101-47 North Macedonia
Denmark 81-61 Croatia
Group G
Portugal 58-71 Serbia
FIBA