Great Britain’s World Cup hopes end in narrow Iceland loss in Manchester
Great Britain’s hopes of reaching the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup are over after a narrow 88-86 defeat to Iceland in Manchester.
Iceland advanced to the Second Round of the European Qualifiers after a comeback built around a strong third quarter and a late burst in the closing stages, with Great Britain unable to respond in the final possession sequence.
GB looked to be in control at half-time at 49-41 and still led 69-61 early in the fourth quarter, but Iceland chipped away, took the lead for the first time inside the final minute and closed the game out at the line.
Josh Uduje led Great Britain with 23 points, while Luke Nelson added 14 and Flynn Boardman-Raffet finished with 11. Jon Axel Gudmundsson top-scored for Iceland with 25 points and eight rebounds, with Martin Hermannsson adding 20.
Marc Steutel said the loss was especially painful because GB had been in front for most of the game.
“Permutations were win or go through so congratulations to Iceland,” Steutel said in the post-game press conference.
“A basketball game at any level, if you’re in front for 32 minutes you’d hope you could see the game through.”
It was a frustrating ending for GB, who had put themselves in position to reach the next phase but were unable to make the decisive plays when Iceland surged back into the contest. They now drop into the EuroBasket pre-qualifiers.
“Our programme has competed as a good level for many years now, and we know this puts us into pre-qualifiers, where we haven’t been for a long time,” Steutel continued. “So it’s a chance for us to review and reflect upon the programme.”
Post-game press conference
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