MUNICH (Germany) - Both games went down to the wire in Group E on Friday as Hungary and Montenegro both recorded one-point victories at home as their spots in the Second Round were confirmed.

Just like in Matosinhos back in November, Hungary did not have things all their own way against the lowest-ranked side in the group and needed to withstand a spirited challenge to see off Portugal in a 69-68 success to lock up the top three places. 

Nemanja Radovic then helped give Montenegro double reason for celebration as they followed up their qualification by defeating previously unbeaten France in a sensational 70-69 triumph, in Podgorica.

The 30-year-old forward finished with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting after the go-ahead score with 31 seconds remaining. Theo Maledon and Elie Okobo both had chances to snatch victory for the visitors, but they fell to their first loss with all results carried forward to the next phase.

"For us, it's a huge win," stated Radovic. "We are a small country, and I think we are doing a job. The atmosphere was amazing so our thanks to the fans for supporting us. We played a great game against a team like France with such good players."

Montenegro took an eight-point cushion into the final quarter, but knew that France would not go down without a fight in a contest that finished with 17 lead changes. The visitors moved ahead at 65-63 with an authoritative dunk from Mouhammadou Jaiteh, but Montenegro had an immediate response through Jonah Radebaugh's triple.

Radovic would have the final say after France had edged back ahead inside the final minute as they now drop to 4-1 with a game to play. 

"Frustrated," summed up Okobo. "We have to focus on our next game on Monday and we want to win this one."

Earlier, Hungary survived a third quarter wobble on their way to beating Portugal by a single point. Rosco Allen top scored with 11 points amongst a balanced attack for the hosts with five players scoring 8+ points in the win.

Hungary led by as many as 13 points in the first half, but the efforts of Rafael Lisboa and Miguel Queiroz helped Portugal turn things around as they took the lead at 51-50 late in the third. However, a 10-1 run kept them at bay until closing to within a point in the final minute as Hungary picked up their third win with a trip to France to follow on Monday.

As for Portugal, they will sign off their campaign on home soil when they take on Montenegro in search of a first win before turning their attentions to the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers later this summer.

"I believe that it's a blessing to play for our country," said Queiroz. "So, every chance we get to play for our country we have to take it because we never know when it is the last time."

France, Hungary and Montenegro will all be vying for additional wins to take through to the Second Round, starting in August.

FIBA