Romania’s men’s basketball team suffered a setback in their first 2027 World Cup qualifier, losing 76-72 in overtime to Luxembourg.

Basketball Photo: Michael Sullivan/CSM/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia

Romania – Luxembourg 72-76

In coach Mihai Silvasan’s debut, Romania unexpectedly lost to Luxembourg in a match played at the Polyvalent Hall in Cluj-Napoca.

In complete control of the game, the tricolors had a 23-point advantage with less than 9 minutes to go, but the visitors turned the tide in incredible fashion and even came close to winning in regulation time.

Romania managed to take the match to extra time, but the boys coached by Mihai Silvasan lost their morale and lost the game.

The best player of the Romanian team was Emanuel Kece with 25 points and 8 rebounds.

10 national teams, including Romania, are playing in the pre-qualification selection for Europe. In the other two groups – Switzerland, Kosovo, Ireland, Azerbaijan (A), respectively Austria, Armenia, Albania (C).

Norway is also in Group B.

The next schedule of the tricolors: Norway – Romania (November 21), Luxembourg – Romania (November 24), Romania – Norway (February 23, 2025).

Know:

  • The first-placed team in each of the three groups, as well as the second-placed team, will enter the 2nd stage of pre-qualification, where they will join the eight relegated teams in the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers.
  • The 2027 World Cup will be held in Qatar.