It was a day of upsets in EuroBasket 2015’s second qualifying round. A few groups that looked like processions got turned upside down.
In case you need a re-cap on what the teams involved need to do to qualify, the seven group winners progress to EuroBasket 2015 along with the top six second-placed teams from the seven qualifying groups.
Mirza Teletovic had another big day for Bosnia and Herzegovina, scoring 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in a 72-62 victory in Group A. That win keeps Bosnia on top at 2-0.
There was an offensive feast in Sofia but a bad day for the home team as Bulgaria fell 100-84 to Israel in Group B. The Netherlands pulled off a big upset 65-60 at Montenegro, with 18 points from Roeland Schaftenaar. That leaves the Netherlands, Montenegro, and Israel on 2-1.
Group C took a dramatic turn on Sunday as Austria pulled off the big home upset, knocking off Poland 83-81. That, coupled with Germany’s 109-49 win over Luxembourg leaves three way tie on 2-1 in the group.
FYR Macedonia remain unbeaten in Group D. Richard Hendrix had 10 points and 10 boards in an 81-70 win away to Belarus. Belgium moved into second place outright with a 71-50 win over Denmark in Charleroi on the back of 10 points and 6 assists from Lionel Bosco.
Group E saw heartbreak for Portugal as Georgia clawed their way back to win 91-90 in overtime. That result means Portugal stay winless while Georgia move to 2-1. Czech Republic held off a comeback effort by Hungary to win 66-63 to force another three way tie on 2-1 in the group.
Latvia remain unbeaten in Group F, they saw off Romania 88-65. Sweden moved into third place with 75-72 win away to Slovak Republic.
Finally, Group G saw Pietro Aradori surpass the 1,000 point barrier for the Italian national team. Aradori scored 17 points and dished 5 assists in Italy’s 90-60 win over Switzerland.
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