Ukraine beats Montenegro to top Group I, Greece edges Spain in overtime

Six games in the second round of the FIBA 2027 World Cup European qualifiers were played on Monday, reshaping several group standings.

In Group I, Ukraine, coached by Ainars Bagatskis, defeated hosts Montenegro 98:89 in Podgorica. The result lifted Ukraine to the top of the group with a 6-2 record after eight games. Montenegro fought back on offense during the game but ultimately fell short.

The most dramatic contest of the round took place in Athens, where Greece narrowly beat Spain 108:106 after overtime. The win moved Greece to a 4-4 record, keeping the team within reach of a qualification spot.

Turkey secures World Cup berth first

In Group J, Turkey delivered a commanding 110:73 win over Iceland in Reykjavik. Having won all eight games of this qualifying round, Turkey became the first European team to secure its place at the 2027 World Cup finals, set to be held in Qatar.

Also in Group J, Serbia beat Luka Banchi's Italy 76:64 in Pesaro, improving to 6-2 and moving closer to a finals berth. Lithuania edged Bosnia and Herzegovina 78:73, reaching a 4-4 record and standing just one win away from a qualification spot in its group.

Latvia also took part in the qualifiers' second-round opening window, currently sitting fourth in Group K with a 4-4 record, behind Germany, Croatia and Poland, all of which have won seven of their eight games.