Twelve teams at once guaranteed themselves participation in the playoffs of the tournament before the last round of the EuroBasket 2022 group stage. This is reported on the website of the Basketball Federation of Ukraine.
Spain and Turkey from Group A; Slovenia, Germany and France from Group B; Ukraine, Greece, Italy and Croatia from Group C; Serbia, Poland and Finland from Group D will play in the 1/8 finals of the European Championship. Most of teams have to determine their place in the group.
The two teams that have never lost are Greece and Serbia. They have already guaranteed themselves victories in the group. Three more National teams — the Netherlands, Hungary and Great Britain — haven't won a single game so far, and they will definitely go home.
Which games will be decisive in the last round?
September 7
Group A
- Bulgaria - Belgium. The winner goes to the playoffs; the loser goes home.
- Georgia - Montenegro. For this game, to decide something, a victory for Belgium over Bulgaria is needed. A "twist" of four teams is possible here — Georgia needs to beat Montenegrins and hope for the victory of Belgians. Then four teams will have figures 2-3.
September 8
Group C
- Lithuania - Bosnia and Herzegovina. A top match between two teams who look great at the European Championship, but only the winner will advance.
Group D
- Czech Republic - Israel. The decisive match for Ronen Ginzburg's team will be only if Finland beats the Netherlands/ If national team of the Netherlands beats Finns, then even a victory over Israel will not save the Czechs from the expelling.
The National basketball team of Ukraine will play the last match of the group stage against Croatia on September 8, starting at 15:15. This match will determine which final place Ainars Bagatskis' team will occupy in the group. A win or loss of less than 8 points will leave Ukraine in second place, a loss of 8-16 points will drop us to third place, and a loss of 16 points or more will take our team into the playoffs from fourth place. (provided Italy beats Great Britain).
