For the first time this year, the starting places for the basketball world championship will be played via a qualifying round. Prior to this, the teams’ participation in the previous competitions decided on their rankings. At SPOX you will learn everything about the new mode, the dates and of course the DBB team.
The FIBA decided to hold the World Championships, which should have taken place in 2018 after an old cycle, in order to postpone the World Championships until 2019. With the move to odd years, the association wants to raise awareness for the World Cup and the income of the national federations.
Previously, the tournament took place in even years and almost parallel to the World Cup. In addition, the number of participants was increased from 28 to 32. The qualifying round is now played separately.
Prior to this, the participants mainly qualified by placing in previous competitions. The qualification now introduced takes place throughout the year.
Except for the host country of the 2019 World Cup, China, all teams have to qualify for the final round, there are no seeded teams. The number of participants per continent has already been determined, and the qualification takes place at the level of the continental associations.
32 nations are represented in the FIBA Europe Qualification. These are divided into twelve groups of three and three respectively. four teams. The two respectively three group leaders then move into the main group, which consists of six teams, and take the points they have won with them. The three best teams from the main group qualify for the World Championship.
Germany is in group G. The opponents are Serbia, Georgia and Austria. Each team is played once against each other.
In the opening match against Georgia – at the same time the obligatory game debut for national coach Henrik Rödl – the German basketball team won without numerous top performers. Final score: 79:70. Best thrower was Robin Benzing with 25 points.
In the second game in Austria, a victory was also won. The team around the best thrower Johannes Thiemann (17 points) gave the neighbour a lesson – 90:49.
The last qualifying match in this group against Serbia will take place on Friday, the 23rd day. February, instead of. Tip-off at the Fraport Arena in Frankfurt, which has a capacity of 5,000 spectators, is at 7.30 pm. The also unbeaten Serbs are favored. Bayern Munich coach Sasa Djordevic’s team is Vice World and European Champion and silver medallist at the Olympic Games in Rio.
The encounter between Germany and Serbia will be broadcast live at Telekom Sport. All information about the different subscription options for Telekom customers and non-Telecom customers can be found on the Telekom Sport website.
A live ticker can be found at SPOX here.