10 most intriguing Qualifiers matchups in November

    3 min to read
    Preview
    Spain will be looking to get back on track after two losses in first window

    A couple of months after the Olympics, national team basketball returns with the second window for the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in November. Here is a look at 10 matchups that fans should not miss.

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    MUNICH (Germany) - A couple of months after the 2024 Olympics have finished, national team basketball returns with the second window of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers, with the venues and tip-off times now confirmed for all 32 fixtures.

    Defending champions Spain find themselves in a dangerous spot after two losses in the first window while reigning world champions Germany as well as basketball powerhouse Lithuania both could be in trouble should they lose twice in the second of three qualifying windows.

    The full schedule for Window 2, to be played across Europe from November 21 to 25, can be found, here.

    The three highest-placed teams from each group will qualify for the Final Round, except for the groups with the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 co-hosts Cyprus, Finland, Latvia and Poland. In those four groups, the hosts plus the two other highest-placed teams will advance.

    For more on the competition system, see here.

    Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Croatia

    Bosnia and Herzegovina playing in the first window

    Dates: Nov 21 - 20:00 CET - Zagreb (CRO) | Nov 24 - 18:00 CET - Sarajevo (BIH)

    EuroBasket 2025 co-hosts Cyprus being in Group E means only two teams qualify from the group. Unless either Bosnia and Herzegovina or Croatia can spring a surprise on mighty France in the third and final window in February 2025, these games in Zagreb and Sarajevo could be decisive. And point difference could be even more crucial if they split the games.

    Latvia vs Belgium

    Dates: Nov 22 - 18:00 CET - Riga (LAT) | Nov 25 - 20:15 CET - Charleroi (BEL)

    Group C is the only one with two undefeated teams in the Qualifiers. Latvia have qualified directly as co-hosts but want to maintain the strong momentum before hosting the tournament. Belgium meanwhile have the perfect chance to keep an upper hand over European champions Spain who they defeated in the first window.

    Estonia vs Poland

    Dates: Nov 21 - 18:00 CET - Wloclawek (POL) | Nov 24 - 17:00 CET - Tallinn (EST)

    Estonia sit atop Group H with a perfect 2-0 record and even with a chance to clinch a EuroBasket ticket if results go their way in the other games of the group. For someone not seen as clear-cut favorites to do so before start of Qualifiers, that is not a bad position to be in. Poland are co-hosts and qualified, but they would like to avoid a repeat of their winless first window.

    Lithuania vs North Macedonia

    Dates: Nov 21 - 18:00 CET - Skopje (MKD) | Nov 24 - 18:30 CET - Klaipeda (LTU)

    Both teams are 1-1 in Group H and it's hard not to have memories of EuroBasket 2011 - when North Macedonia eliminated Lithuania in the home tournament in the Quarter-Finals. If they lose twice, Lithuania could theoretically be eliminated, with only two teams qualifying from this pool. That would be a massive disappointment for a big basketball nation like Lithuania. They survived a Denmark scare in the last Qualifiers and hope to avoid (another) North Macedonia one. The Balkan side meanwhile is within striking distance of a EuroBasket ticket after beating Poland in the first window.

    Finland vs Georgia

    Toko Shengelia playing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

    Dates: Nov 21 - 17:30 CET - Espoo (FIN) | Nov 24 - 16:00 CET - Tbilisi (GEO)

    Georgia could see their EuroBasket qualifying streak come to an end as they are 0-2 in Group G after losing to Denmark in the first window. Finland, who are 1-1, have already locked up a spot as co-hosts so only two teams will qualify from the group. Georgia will be keeping an eye on results of the Denmark games.

    Denmark vs Serbia

    Dates: Nov 21 - 18:00 CET - Copenhagen (DEN) | Nov 24 - 20:00 CET - Belgrade (SRB)

    Denmark are 1-1 in Group G after beating Georgia and face Olympic bronze medallists Serbia. Could Denmark seize their historic chance? Stealing a game against Serbia could be huge. The Serbs meanwhile started qualifying convincingly with back-to-back wins over Georgia and Finland so they'll look to continue their momentum.

    Italy vs Iceland

    Dates: Nov 22 - 20:30 CET - Reykjavik (ISL) | Nov 25 - 20:30 CET - Reggio Emilia (ITA)

    Italy enter the games at 2-0 and Iceland are 1-1 in Group B. We've seen Iceland surprise Italy in the past and they will be looking to hit CTRL+C, CTRL+V once again. Italy topped Türkiye and Hungary in the first window, but these games - especially the one in Reykjavik - could be tough tests.

    Spain vs Slovakia

    Dates: Nov 22 - 18:00 CET - Bratislava (SVK) | Nov 25 - 20:00 CET - Ourense (ESP)

    So you're saying the defending European champions could be eliminated? By Window 2? Yes, that's exactly what we're saying – if Spain lose twice to Slovakia in a battle of 0-2 teams and Latvia and Belgium split their games, it's game over. As far-fetched as it sounds, that's what it is.

    Sweden vs Germany

    Dates: Nov 22 - 18:30 CET - Stockholm (SWE) | Nov 25 - 19:30 CET - Heidelberg (GER)

    Germany are reigning world champions

    Both teams are 1-1 in Group D and the reigning world champs Germany come into the second window with a loss in Bulgaria to their name. It's bounce back time against Sweden because if they don't, the chances of a EuroBasket without the world champions would become a real possibility.

    Greece vs Great Britain

    Dates: Nov 21 - 20:30 CET - London (GBR) | Nov 24 - 17:30 CET - Thessaloniki (GRE)

    Greece have a 2-0 record in Group F and have put themselves on the qualification fast track and will be looking to check themselves in in Window 2. They even beat England in football recently. Maybe Great Britain, who are 1-1, can get the revenge on the basketball court?

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