Great Britain Opens EuroBasket Campaign With 110-75 Win

Great Britain opened its pre-qualifying campaign for the 2029 EuroBasket tournament with a 110-75 victory over Switzerland in Fribourg. BBC Sport reported that Marc Steutel's team won all four quarters in its first competitive game since missing qualification for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, moving to the top of Group E after the result.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XHVzipFzn0

Tosan Evbuomwan and Amari Williams both made their senior Great Britain debuts. Evbuomwan, who joined Barcelona earlier this summer after making 50 NBA appearances across three years, scored 21 points in 25 minutes and added three rebounds and two assists. Williams, a Boston Celtics center who has completed his first season with the team, recorded eight points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes.

Josh Uduje led Great Britain's scoring with 24 points. The visitors established control immediately, winning each of the first two quarters by six points. They increased that advantage after halftime and held a 79-51 lead at the end of the third quarter before completing a 35-point victory. Evbuomwan and Williams were among the players given rest during the fourth quarter.

The result followed the world rankings entering the matchup, with Great Britain listed 45th and Switzerland 16 places lower. More importantly for the competition, it gave Britain a successful start in a group whose winner will advance to full EuroBasket qualifying, scheduled to take place in 2028 and 2029.

Great Britain's next assignment is a home game against Slovakia in Newcastle on Sunday. The team then hosts Switzerland on November 29 before traveling to face Slovakia on February 25, 2027. Those remaining fixtures will determine whether Steutel's side can retain first place and progress directly from the pre-qualifying group.

Finishing outside the top spot would not immediately end Britain's route to the tournament. According to BBC Sport's report, a team that does not win this group will enter a third pre-qualifying round in 2027. The opening performance in Fribourg has given Britain the early advantage, backed by contributions from two debutants and four consistently won quarters.