MUNICH (Germany) - The final window of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers campaign is just around the corner, which means the dreams of many EuroBasket hopefuls will soon be made or broken.
Among the nations still in the running to make it to the big stage, there some who have been waiting for a chance to make their mark for quite a while.
Some teams just missed out on the last edition of the event, others have been eyeing a return for a longer period of time, while there are also a handful looking to make history by securing their first-ever EuroBasket appearance.
Among them are two hosts: Cyprus will step out with the big boys at the EuroBasket for the very first time, while Latvia are ready to make some noise at home after famously failing to qualify in 2022.
But who else is on the verge of returning to the spotlight? Let's dive in and find out together!
Denmark
Total appearances: 3 Last participation: 1955 Best finish: 14th place (1951)
Having made only three total EuroBasket appearances in their history, Denmark aim to end the 70-year wait and will have to push hard to make it happen. Led by star guard Iffe Lundberg, Denmark currently sit at 1-3 in Group G, but with Serbia and Finland already securing their spots, it will come down to a big matchup against Georgia. If they can beat direct rivals and then follow it up with a positive result against Finland, the seven-decade drought may come to an end.
Iceland
Total appearances: 2 Last participation: 2017 Best finish: 24th place (2015, 2017)
Iceland's second entry to the Final Round in 2017 was also their last, as they failed to reach the 2022 event. They are very well positioned to end their wait, however. With Türkiye and Italy already in, Iceland only need to beat Hungary for their third win and a secure trip to the FIBA EuroBasket 2025. Even if they lose, it's hard to imagine Iceland not breaking the eight-year curse.
North Macedonia
Total appearances: 5 Last participation: 2015 Best finish: 4th place (2011)
Protagonists at FIBA EuroBasket 2011 with a fairy-tale fourth-place finish, North Macedonia never managed to replicate the success of the generation led by Pero Antic, Bo McCalebb and others. Their fifth and final entry came in 2015 and it's looking like an uphill struggle this time around. At this point in time, North Macedonia are at 1-3 in Group H and they cannot afford to slip up with games against Estonia and Poland on the schedule for the February 2025 window.
Portugal
Total appearances: 3 Last participation: 2011 Best finish: 9th place (2007)
Portugal are in the midst of a 14-year EuroBasket drought and haven't been at the Final Round since 2011. However, this streak of missing out is likely to come to an end. With a 2-2 mark in Group A after four games, Portugal have great chances of securing the third spot, behind the already qualified Slovenia and Israel.
Fun fact: Portugal's women's national team just earned their first ever ticket to FIBA Women's EuroBasket. Maybe it's a sign?
Slovakia
Total appearances: 0 Last participation: N/A Best finish: N/A
Can Slovakia pull off a miracle and earn their maiden appearance at EuroBasket? The chances of that happening were much better before November and two heartbreaking losses to Spain. However, Aramis Naglic's team still have a theoretical pathway to the promised land. It does involve winning twice and Belgium losing twice - and to make sure they have to head-to-head over their rivals. Yup, that seems tough to accomplish, indeed.
Sweden
Total appearances: 10 Last participation: 2013 Best finish: 11th place (1995)
We haven't seen Sweden on the big stage for over a decade, but that may well end soon. The Swedes have already made their mark in the Qualifiers with an upset over world champs Germany and they currently sit in the third spot with 2-2 in the Group D where all is still open. With Montenegro and Bulgaria as their next opponents, you wouldn't be surprised if they'd be making a EuroBasket comeback later this year.
FIBA