Power Rankings: Which European teams are strongest ahead of penultimate window?

MUNICH (Germany) - The first team - Finland - has booked its ticket to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, and more are likely to follow as we approach the penultimate window of the European Qualifiers.

The November games come after some great action in the June-July qualification contests as well as FIBA EuroBasket 2022, where some teams impressed and surprised while others disappointed.

All that is forgotten though as the Second Round continues and teams continue the fight to claim one of the 12 spots for Europe in next summer's showcase in Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

Here is the latest edition of the Power Rankings. (Previous rank in brackets)

#1 - SPAIN  (+1)

Current Record: 5-1 (1st in Group L)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 2nd

The reigning world champions are now the freshly-crowned FIBA EuroBasket 2022 champs, and the Spaniards will be riding that wave of momentum into the Group L games. Sergio Scariolo's men will travel to Italy to see who takes the pole position for first place and then host Netherlands.

#2 - LITHUANIA  (+1)

Current Record: 7-1 (1st in Group K)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 8th

Lithuania enter the window after showing the perseverance of reaching the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Round of 16 stage after losing their first three games of the Group Phase. The Baltic side will host France in a big-time matchup with Lithuania out to avenge a 77-73 loss at EuroBasket. Lithuania will then play at Montenegro in a game they should win if they want to take the top spot in the group.

#3 - GERMANY  (+4)

Current Record: 7-1 (1st in Group J)

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 11th

Germany proved themselves again on the big stage at FIBA EuroBasket 2022 with third place and will go into the window brimming with confidence. Gordie Herbert and co. host Finland in a battle of the top two teams and then travel to Slovenia to face a team that lost to Germany in the June-July window, but then won against in the EuroBasket Group Phase.

#4 - FINLAND  (+7)

Current Record: 7-1 (2nd in Group J)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 25th

Finland are the only team that has already secured a berth for next summer's big show in Asia. The Finns can take another step in this window as they play at Germany for the driver's seat for first place in Group J before hosting Estonia in their second game.

#5 - FRANCE (-4)

Current Record: 6-2 (2nd in Group K)

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 5th

France return to their quest to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup after taking second place at FIBA EuroBasket 2022. And this window features two big games as France travel to Lithuania and can grab first place in Group K with a win; and then they host Bosnia and Herzegovina, to whom they lost in double overtime in the last window. Don't forget that Victor Wembanyama is expected to make his senior national team debut in the window.

#6 - LATVIA  (+3)

Current Record: 5-1 (1st in Group I)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 30th

Latvia welcome the return to the European Qualifiers after they missed FIBA EuroBasket 2022 and were forced to watch from home. The Latvians top Group I but face a tough test in the window at second placed Greece before hosting Great Britain. Latvia could actually lock up their first berth to the FIBA Basketball World Cup during this window.

#7 - ITALY  (-1)

Current Record: 5-1 (2nd in Group L)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 10th

Italy it can be argued overachieved by reaching the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Quarter-Finals, and now the Italians can take sole possession of first place in the Second Round Group L as they host Spain and then travel to Georgia. Depending on results, Gianmarco Pozzecco's team could also lock up a spot at the FIBA Basketball World Cup next summer during this window.

#8 - GREECE  (-4)

Current Record: 4-2 (2nd in Group I)

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 9th

Greece exited FIBA EuroBasket 2022 in the Quarter-Finals and the players from that team will look to bounce back in the European Qualifiers. The Greeks have a chance to take over first place in Group I as they host table-toppers Latvia before then playing at Belgium. Neither game will be easy in the least and Hellas must rise to the challenge to avoid two losses.

#9 - SLOVENIA  (-1)

Current Record: 5-3 (3rd in Group J)

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 7th

Slovenia reached the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Quarter-Finals as reigning champions, but now the focus returns to FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification. Slovenia could actually qualify for the 2023 showcase as they travel to Israel and then host Germany, who beat them in the last window before the Balkan side won in the EuroBasket Group Phase.

#10 - SERBIA  (-5)

Current Record: 3-3 (4th in Group I)

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th

Serbia find themselves in a real dogfight to qualify from Group I as they currently sit fourth. But the Serbs start the window at Great Britain before hosting Turkey in the upcoming window. Serbia would be best served to win twice as that would lessen the pressure in the final window next February.

#11 - MONTENEGRO 

Current Record: 5-3 (3rd in Group K)

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 18th

Montenegro have a chance to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in this window as they are a game ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary. They start the window at desperate Czech Republic and then host Lithuania. Montenegro hold the tiebreaker over Hungary and beat Bosnia and Herzegovina by 19 points in the last window.

#12 - ICELAND 

Current Record: 4-2 (3rd in Group L)

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 49th

Iceland's dream of making the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time could come true in this window as they face a huge showdown in Reykjavik against Georgia, knowing a win would give them a two-game lead over the eastern Europeans. Iceland finish the window with a road game against Ukraine.

That is just 12 teams. What about the other 12 teams you ask?

On the fringes:
Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Hungary, Turkey

Belgium made a case for the top 12 with third place in Group I ahead of Serbia with two wins over the European powerhouse. If they can stay ahead of Serbia after this window, they will certainly make a jump in the Power Rankings. Turkey are in the same group and face a tough test. Georgia desperately need to beat Iceland this window, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary both battle to chase down Montenegro in Group K.

Mountain to climb:
Czech Republic, Sweden, Israel

Czech Republic can keep their slim hopes alive this window if they can beat both Montenegro and Hungary. And, it might already be too late for Sweden and Israel by the time they face off in the second game in the window in Group J.

All but over:
Estonia, Great Britain, Ukraine

Estonia have two wins to their name but are three games behind third placed Slovenia, while Great Britain are two games back with one win. Ukraine also have one win and sit three games behind Iceland.

Already over:
Netherlands

Netherlands are 0-6 in Group L and can use the games to give valuable playing time to young or up-and-coming players.

*The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.

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