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This match is crucial for the Slovenians, and they'll have to stay focused. Slovenia beat Ukraine, and if they could beat Bulgaria for the second time, they'd definitely get placed to the EC, and could go to Ukraine on Saturday feeling no pressure. They haven't been defeated in the first group yet, but if they'd lose by over seven points in Ukraine, they could go down to the second place, so this win is important to them because it secures getting through to the EC as one of the four best second-placed teams if they don't end up as the first team in the group. Slovenia won by only five points in Bulgaria, even though they were leading by 13 after the first quarter and by three after the first half. They look much more convincing at home, and were up by 33 against Kosovo there, and by 9 against the strong Ukraine. They routinely beat Kosovo on Saturday, even though the Dragić brothers were out. Zoran left the team earlier, and Goran got spared to rest. The key Slovenian player is back today.
The Bulgarians lost their chance for the Eurobasket after losing to Ukraine on Saturday. That's probably why they let their main player Vezenkov (22 points against Slovenia, 17 per game in the qualifiers) to join Barcelona. The same goes for the starting point guard Bost. Marinov is also injured, so they only have one point guard. Besides the three of them, the important back Kostov is also out, he's injured and has missed the last two duels. The center Washburn will fill the foreigner position instead, he didn't play much for Bulgaria this summer, and hasn't at all in the qualifiers. The only away duel Bulgaria played so far was in Ukraine, and they were down by 17 after 20 minutes. Their lineup is noticeably weaker today, their motivation questionable, and Slovenia have a chance to secure the EC, clearly saying this is the match of the year for them.