The first games of the new World Cup Qualification format were played today in Europe. Eight spots are up from grabs in the main qualifier with thirteen teams applying for the places. As a results, teams were split into four groups with the top two teams in each group advancing.
Group A is the one with four teams in it so all the teams will play on all six match days. The presumed favorites faced off in Norrkoping with Sweden beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 81-73 with a fourth quarter rally. 2015 draft pick Marcus Eriksson led the way with 25 points while young phenom Dzanan Musa had 17 points in the loss.
Armenia could be the surprise here as they beat Slovakia 75-61 in Yerevan. They have strengthened their program in recent years by identifying eligible Americans as rookie AJ Hess from South Dakota State had 22 points and 7 rebounds and rookie Andrew Chrabascz from Butler had 11 points while Arkadiy Mkrtychyan of Idaho had 14 points and naturalized ex-UConn player Ryan Boatright had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. In the loss, ex-DII player Radoslav Rancik had 20 points and 6 rebounds and naturalized ex-Winthrop player Andre Jones had 12 points and 9 rebounds.
http://www.fiba.com/basketballworldc...ore_statistics
http://www.fiba.com/basketballworldc...ore_statistics
The day ended in Group B in Tirana with Austria beating Albania 79-51. They were led by Jakob Poltl, who had 22 points while ex-Texas A&M Corpus Christi player Bryce Douvier had 10 points.
http://www.fiba.com/basketballworldc...ore_statistics
In Group C, Kosovo beat Macedonia 72-68 in Prishtina as ex-JC player Granit Rugova had 12 points. Naturalized ex-Seton Hall player Jordan Theodore had 22 points and 6 assists in the loss.
http://www.fiba.com/basketballworldc...ore_statistics
In Group D, Bulgaria used a strong start to beat Portugal 82-71 in Sines. Naturalized ex-Mississippi State player Dee Bost had 23 points and recent draft pick Aleksandar Vezenkov had 13 points and 13 rebounds.
http://www.fiba.com/basketballworldc...ore_statistics