The match between Serbia and the Belgian Lions in the World Cup preliminary round has been definitively stopped. Due to a technical problem there was too little light in the hall in Nis and after an hour the problem was still not solved. Belgium was already certain of the next round and now a forfeite victory may beckon.
After the stunt victory at home against Serbia, the Belgian Lions actually needed a new stunt in Serbia to maintain realistic hopes for the 2023 Basketball World Cup.
The Belgian Lions also started the match well with a three-pointer from De Zeeuw and a score and bonus free throw from Obasohan. But after just over 2 minutes, the lights went out in Nis after a mistake by De Zeeuw.
A technical problem was the cause and could not be solved quickly. After more than an hour of waiting, the referees had no choice but to stop the match. Belgium will probably now protest and then a flat fee beckons.
Hans Vanwijn: “Serbia wants to replay the match on Monday”
At midnight there was still no white smoke from Nis. “Nothing has been decided yet,” says Belgian Lion Hans Vanwijn. “It was first suggested by Serbia to replay the match on Monday.”
“But normally it’s a flat win for us, but FIBA has yet to decide that tonight or tomorrow. If it’s a win, it’s an important win that we take with us to the next round. That could be the deciding factor for us.” qualify for the 2023 World Cup.”
The Serbian federation indeed announced on Sunday evening that the match will be played on Monday at 7 p.m., but there was no confirmation from the Belgian or the International Basketball Federation FIBA.
Victory important for next round
After Thursday’s victory in Bergen against Slovakia, the Belgian Lions were already certain of qualification for the second preliminary round. The same was true for Serbia and Latvia, which won 60-93 on Sunday against Slovakia, which had already been eliminated.
But the game was important because in the second preliminary round the results of the matches against the Serbs and the Latvians are preserved. In the second heat, which will be completed between next month and February 2023, the Lions will also meet three countries from group B in their group: Greece, Turkey and Great Britain.
From that group of six places, the first three eventually qualify for the World Cup, which will be organized from August 25 to September 10, 2023 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
