Russia and Finland beat their respective opponents and their qualification will be determined in the final window on February.
The Russians dominated Czech Republic (which has already qualified) at home (81-61) and claimed their third straight victory to improve to 6-4.
Dmitry Khvostov led the way for the winners with 17 points, with Dmitrii Kulagin adding 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Jaromir Bohacik was unstoppable for the losing squad (7-3), with a game-high 26 points.
.@russiabasket 🇷🇺 blow out already qualified @CESKYBASKETBAL🇨🇿 81-61 at home. #FIBAWC #ThisIsMyHouse
📲 https://t.co/6BBBf67dk5
📝 https://t.co/pBU9D7sTCs pic.twitter.com/ClXtTC3LAW— Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) December 3, 2018
Finland came back from a 21-point deficit and edged Bosnia and Herzegovina on the road (77-81), thanks to a three-pointer by Sasu Salin, with 40 seconds remaining.
Salin finished the game with 19 points, as Petteri Koponen posted 18 for the winners, who won for the fifth time in the Qualifiers (5-5).
On the other hand, Miralem Halilovic scored a game-high 20 points for the losing squad (2-8).
Unreal comeback by @basketfinland 🇫🇮 as they erase a 20-point deficit with a 36-14 last quarter run to stay in the hunt for a spot at the #FIBAWC 2019!
📲 https://t.co/6BBBf67dk5
📝 https://t.co/pBU9D7sTCs pic.twitter.com/P8AeMOO5rr— Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) December 3, 2018
The final window will now determine who will join France and the Czech Republic in the World Cup.
Finland will welcome France (already qualified) on February 21, with Russia facing Bulgaria on the road on the same day.
Three days later, Russia will clash with Finland at home, in a match that will likely decide the qualification to the World Cup.
