Additional Qualifying Round

I almost forgot about this. Is it a lottery or do you think there are one or two teams who are definite favourites?

If Sonja Petrovic plays for Serbia I'm saying that Serbia is the favorite in that tournament. If not Serbia than Italy. I certainly feel like the winner of group B will win the AQR.

Hard to disagree

What about a return to National Team basketball for Ivana Matovic btw?

Having Matovic would be great for them, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Come on then peeps - who is going to take that last spot?

Who is your three favourite teams to make it for the one place?

It's like picking straws out of a hat at this moment. I think it should be more clear by day 2 or 3 of the AQT.

Okay, okay, after seeing what team Belgium is putting on the court I'm making my first bald prediction that Belgium doesn't qualify for Eurobasket.

Oh, so now we are going for a process of elimination to decide rather than choosing the team who will get to Poland

Hungary. Here is no need to explain.

Hmm, I heard somewhere that Serbia is going to have Matovic, Milovanovic, Petrovic, Ana Dabovic if that's really the case I'm not betting against them. Have to investigate a bit more.

If Serbia put out that kind of line-up then they must be favourites or atleast top three favourites to progress

For some reason I thought they were already qualified, until I saw a post on Rebell. I don't see who else can win it... except for Belgium of course.

Can't seem to find a confirmation on Matovic...

I believe in Hungary;) But Italy is the favourite - as a team, even if Serbia has better players on the roster.

Hungary must win in A group. Italy or Serbia will win in B group. The Final : Hungary vs Italy or Serbia.

Serbia went to Taranto with A.Dabovic (after injury) and without M.Dabovic, S.Petrovic, I.Matovic.

I will be in Sopron (well I am here already..) for the Group A games.
Taking pictures / video and interviews... It'll mainly be for the Finnish Media - so will focus on their games mostly.
Will try to link stuff here as well..

Nice one Ville

Enjoy the games

Game Night One

GROUP A

Hungary 68 Netherlands 39
Bulgaria 57 Finalnd 61

GROUP B

Germany 69 Belgium 57
Serbia 77 Romania 64

Slow internet over night.. so getting stuff online now.
A link to a small 'Blog' that I keep from here.. with small video/interviews from the Finland - Bulgaria game.

http://googabu.wordpress.com/

Hungary wasn't as good as the result shows - it was a small burst of scoring in the opening 10 that decided the game, with the Dutch just unable to hit the ball through the hoop at all.

Second game saw Finland beat the Bulgarians - tight game all the way through with some HUGE three pointers by the Finns. From the two teams Finland showed more in the game - but also there was room for improvement. Finns D was strong and 'new girl' Krista Gross was grabbing rebounds at both ends. (Gross has Finnish mother, I think, and was born in NC and has played over in teh US)

Will post some pictures from the games later on today...

Tonite Finns try to give the home team a tougher test than the Dutch did... should be a good game with another full house...

Few photos from Finland vs Bulgaria : http://googabuphotos.zenfolio.com/p837726881

Will get the Hungary vs Netherlands up next.

And here's the link to Hungary vs Holland : http://googabuphotos.zenfolio.com/p851778529

Already looking like it is shaping up for a Hungary v Italy final ..... unless there is a major surprise / twist

That's exactly what I was predicting several days ago

I can only say well done

but let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet - in case of a nasty surprise

Nice photos Ville btw

I've seen all the games here so far
(oh, and few from Hungary - Ukraine : http://googabuphotos.zenfolio.com/p1069611429 )
Hungary are lucky to be on a clean sheet so far - games against Finland and Ukraine were games they 'should' have lost if either of their opponents would have turned-up and played a decent game.
Today Hungary won by scoring 22 shots from the field with 38% accuracy.. only helped by the fact that Ukraine scored even worse...

It seems Hungary's to lose - and the big game will be between Hungary and Bulgaria now...

(don't get me started on the Ref's in today's first game - GEEZ!!!)