MUNICH (Germany) - After three windows, the curtain has fallen on the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers. It's now time to grade each team's performances, with A+ being the highest mark available.
Belgium: B
The only reason this is not an A is because they were forced to wait for the last window to clinch their ticket, even though they had a chance to do it in November 2024.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: A
A memorable, emotional run for the Dragons. This could've been A+, but Elie Okobo's buzzer beater prevented BIH from potentially winning on the road in France.
Bulgaria: C
One incredible game by Aleksandar Vezenkov was not enough to get them to the Final Round.
Croatia: C-
Arguably the biggest disappointment of the Qualifiers, Croatia will miss their first FIBA EuroBasket ever.
Cyprus: C
The hosts of the event have a lot of work to do if they want to be more competitive in August and September, because 0-6 and -176 will not scare anybody.
Czechia: C+
They made the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 main draw, but it was far from being in convincing fashion.
Denmark: D
Five game losing streak after that opening day win over Georgia. Considering that win and high expectations as their biggest stars are in their prime, Denmark have to feel disappointment not to be there in August and September.
Estonia: A-
Would've been A or A+ if they had swept either Lithuania or Poland.
Finland: B-
The benefit of hosting the event is testing out different players in different roles. The detriment of hosting the event is getting a lower grade because we're not really sure how good you are.
France: A
Perfect record, virtually no stress, while switching to a new system and a new coach for the first time in 16 years. Straight As.
Great Britain: A+
Show of hands, how many of you expected Great Britain at 4-2 in a group with Greece and Czechia? Exactly. A+ all the way.
Georgia: B+
From an abysmal start to affording to rest Giorgi Shermadini and Tornike Shengelia on the final gameday. Georgia are becoming a regular at major events, which is why we're not giving them A - we expect even more from them.
Germany: A-
The world champions transitioned from Gordon Herbert's system to Alex Mumbru with a minor scare, losing by a single point in Sweden. But the last window was perfect, winning the group and erasing all doubts.
Greece: B+
Probably a bit harsh, since they lost only a single game by a single point. But this is the trouble of expectations; fans want Greece at 6-0.
Hungary: D
Not a campaign to remember, aside from the last two games, but it was too little, too late by then.
Iceland: A
Three wins in a group with Hungary, Italy and Türkiye prove that Iceland are good enough to chase a win or two at the EuroBasket, too.
Israel: A
Won the group, were never in doubt, just a fluid, strong performance all Qualifiers long.
Italy: A-
It's an A, but with an asterisk as they dropped two of their three home games during the campaign. But they also swept Türkiye along the way, so definitely not a B.
Latvia: A+
Probably the best team of the Qualifiers. Being pre-qualified did not slow them down one bit, they are now a well-oiled machine and we can't wait to see them perform in front of their fans in August and September.
Lithuania: A
Job done, no stress at all. All the best to you, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, enjoy your (national team) retirement! Let us know if you're interested in becoming an analyst or a commentator.
North Macedonia: C
The unluckiest team of the Qualifiers, ending up in the same group with a host, and two in form national teams with loads of experience of playing together.
Montenegro: B
They are that guy who studies just enough to pass the exam, but is frustrating to follow because we all know that guy is capable of much more than just passing exams.
Netherlands: D
Need to start from the beginning, but at least there are plenty of talented youngsters on the way, both in Europe and the United States, so this could be the last time they did not make the EuroBasket.
Poland: C-
Similar story to Finland, but with worse results. Just one win for the hosts.
Portugal: A
Probably the feel-good story of the entire Qualifiers, with a couple of incredible games against Slovenia in November 2024. Turns out, Slovenia helped them qualify, as they beat Ukraine which pushed Portugal through.
Slovenia: B+
Those two Portugal vs. Slovenia games are also the reason why Slovenia aren't getting an A. But they get a B+ for booking their ticket in time, and getting some new faces in for the final window.
Serbia: A
One of only three unbeaten teams of the Qualifiers. Just a rock solid campaign, as they are already figuring out the plan for the summer, chasing another podium.
Slovakia: C
This would've been way different if Santi Yusta didn't make that shot in November...
Spain: B-
Two things we shouldn't forget: (1) Spain are the defending champions, so the bar is already pretty high, and (2) they needed double overtime to defeat Slovakia (see above). Hence, B- instead of B+ or higher.
Sweden: B
Same group as Montenegro, same explanation as Montenegro. Although defeating the world champs was impressive, for sure.
Türkiye: B-
Consider it recency bias, as they lost their last two games, and even though it didn't matter in terms of reaching the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, it left a bitter aftertaste.
Ukraine: C
The good moments were too short, the bad moments were too devastating. Ukraine could've been a 3-3 team with a bit more consistency and luck, but this way they dropped to 1-5 and ended their run in the fourth spot in Group A.
Note: The Grades are entirely subjective and all comments are purely those of the author.