EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Swiss guard Stefan Petkovic led all scorers with 25 points

Switzerland dealt Belgium a major blow on Wednesday in their attempt to reach the EuroBasket for the second time in a row.

The Swiss, playing at home in the Group E game, prevailed 82-73 after a very impressive display from Stefan Petkovic.

The 19-year-old point guard had 25 points while shooting guard Dusan Mladjan weighed in with 19.

The result has clinched a top-two finish for Poland, who won at Finland earlier in the day, and thus secured a spot for the Poles in the EuroBasket.

Belgium fell to 3-3 with the defeat and Switzerland improved to 3-4.

The Swiss went in front to stay early in the second quarter.

Belgium had just gone on a 7-1 run to pull level at 26-26 when Oliver Vogt drilled a three for the hosts.

Jonathan Kazadi followed his own miss and scored with a jumper, and Petkovic buried a three-pointer.

Mladjan then sank another jumper for a 36-26 lead, and the Swiss stayed in front the rest of the way.