World Cup 2027 Qualifiers: Croatia Dominates Cyprus by 73 Points, Slovenia Struggles Without Dončić
World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, First Stage, Match Results on July 3
Group E
Cyprus fell to Croatia 50-123 (12-35, 14-24, 10-33, 14-31). For Cyprus, S. Tigikas scored 10 points and F. Tigikas added 7. Croatia was led by Zubac with 24 points and 11 rebounds, Šarić contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, Škara scored 18, Božić had 14, Badžim 11, and Hezonja recorded 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Israel lost to Germany 86-92 (15-23, 22-22, 18-31, 31-16). Israel’s top performers included Madar with 31 points and 5 assists, Kerrington with 21 points, and Ginat who posted 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Germany’s Schröder led with 20 points and 9 assists, Zengfelder added 16 points and 6 rebounds, and Brunke contributed 15 points and 5 rebounds.
Group F
Austria was defeated by Poland 77-123 (16-24, 12-29, 29-28, 20-42). Austria’s Zelieznik scored 14, Inoa and Friedrich each added 9 points. Poland’s Kolenda led with 23 points and 6 assists, Ponitka had 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Michalak, Pluta, and Urbaniak each scored 11 points.
The Netherlands narrowly lost to Latvia 69-72 (26-18, 7-23, 21-11, 15-20). For the Dutch, Van der Wurste de Vries posted 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, with Hollanders and Verwvers each scoring 11. Latvia’s Lomazs and Žagars both scored 21 points, with Lomazs also grabbing 6 rebounds, and Strautiņš added 8 points and 7 rebounds.
Group G
Finland edged Hungary 85-77 (13-18, 35-25, 26-15, 11-19). Markkanen led Finland with 23 points and 4 rebounds, Maxhuni contributed 20 points, and Valtonen added 11 points and 4 rebounds. Hungary’s Goloman scored 18 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, Perl also scored 18, and Szomódji contributed 10 points and 5 assists.
Belgium was beaten by France 72-80 (13-22, 17-21, 25-16, 17-21). Belgium’s Lecomte scored 17 points, Van Vliet had 14 points and 6 rebounds, and Gateretše added 13. France’s Koulibaly led with 13 points, Oard and Reyno each scored 10, and Gobert posted 8 points and 11 rebounds.
Group H
Estonia dominated Slovenia 93-62 (22-16, 24-15, 27-20, 20-11). Estonia’s Vaaks scored 20 points and dished out 7 assists, Kononchuk added 19 points, Kotsar recorded a double-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, and Ilver scored 10. Slovenia’s Hrovat had 11 points, Omic contributed 9 points and 8 rebounds, and Samar added 8 points and 5 assists.
Sweden defeated the Czech Republic 87-76 (34-16, 27-19, 18-24, 8-17). Sweden’s Larsson scored 19 points, Klintman had 18 points and 12 rebounds, Gadefors added 14, Pancar posted 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Pohto scored 10. For the Czech Republic, Signal led with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, Krejčí added 14 points and 5 assists, Peterka had 13 points and 8 rebounds, and Balint scored 12.
