MUNICH (Germany) - There will be some different faces on show at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 with four nations appearing in the field this summer who didn't lineup for the previous edition two years ago.
We're taking a look at the teams getting ready to make up for lost time as they get ready for the big show in June, replacing Hungary, Israel, Latvia and Slovakia, who all came up short this time around.
Lithuania
Appearance: 12th Last participation: 2015 (8th place) Best finish: Champions (1997) The decade wait is over and it's mainly due to a thrilling win double against Poland. They got it done in crunch time during two dramatic clashes and even threatened to edge out reigning champions Belgium on the last gameday. It shows the potential of the 1997 champions to shine on their return, especially led by the vibrant and dynamic play of Laura Juskaite and Juste Jocyte. But it was a true team effort and appreciated by the noisy Lithuanian fans.
Portugal
Appearance: 1st Last participation: N/A Best finish: N/A The party in Coimbra went on long into the night after Portugal beat Serbia to take a first ever ticket to the FIBA Women's EuroBasket. With a 5-1 record, they claimed one of the best runners-up spots. Long serving head coach Ricardo Vasconcelos and his players were rewarded for an excellent campaign that was built on strong defense and teamwork. Now fans will look forward to another slice of history and a possible maiden win at the main event.
Sweden
Appearance: 9th Last participation: 2021 (8th place) Best finish: 6th place - (2019) It's only been four years away and Sweden return with real confidence. They made history as the only Swedish team to ever qualify with a perfect record after going 6-0 in their matchups against Denmark, Estonia and Great Britain. Klara Lundquist was incredible with her scoring power, Ellen Nystrom was also influential and they're still able to utilize the vital experience of Frida Eldebrink and Louice Halvarsson who have seen and done it all before.
Switzerland
Appearance: 5th Last participation: 1956 (14th place) Best finish: 5th place (1938) Enduring the longest wait of any nation who had previously appeared, Switzerland are back for the first time in almost seven decades. Their qualification hopes had looked to be faint, but two excellent wins in the last window saw them advance. They will be seen as underdogs this summer and will do well to match their best ever 5th place way back in 1938, but do have talent in their ranks - not least the dangerous Lin Schwarz and Evita Herminjard.
FIBA