MUNICH (Germany) - The curtain has fallen on the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers and it's time to assess how each team performed against expectations. The respective displays and results of every nation have been reviewed, with any mitigating circumstances taken into account and that has led to the following grades from our expert panel.
Austria C-
Record: 0-6 (4th in Group A) A work in progress at this level, Austria did their best to land some punches but didn't have the depth to keep pace with their group rivals. Their best showing was the home defeat to Croatia when they showcased their potential by running their opponents close. However, outside of Sarah Sagerer, a lack of consistent scorers was their downfall.
Azerbaijan C-
Record: 0-6 (4th in Group C) It might take quite some time for Azerbaijan to raise their level of competitiveness when stepping out in the Qualifiers. Even with proven elite level ballers like the naturalized Arica Carter, they struggled. There was a ray of sunshine with Alexandra Mollenhauer impressing, but the supporting cast of players was way off the pace.
Belgium A-
Record: 5-1 (1st in Group C) It's been eventful! Their homecoming party after taking the 2023 title was ruined by a shock loss to Poland, but they recovered to win five in a row - inspired by frontcourt duo Emma Meesseman and Kyara Linskens who helped them edge Lithuania in a last day thriller. They even changed coach with Mike Thiibault replacing Rachid Meziane.
Bosnia and Herzegovina D+
Record: 0-6 (4th in Group H) The days of finishing 5th at the main event in 2021 and making history by reaching the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney feels a lifetime ago. It's been a hugely challenging campaign with no wins in a group they could have feasibly made a splash in. But without their best ballers for each game, they inevitably fell flat.
Bulgaria B+
Record: 2-4 (4th in Group B) It was a stunning win double over Hungary that showed Bulgaria make impressive moves in these Qualifiers. They will be kicking themselves for coming up short against Finland in particular though. The addition of Khaalia Hillsman was amazing in the second window onwards and with Borislava Hristova brilliant, too, the future is bright.
Croatia B+
Record: 4-2 (2nd in Group A) If the Austria and Spain matchups looked an inevitable 2-2, it always felt like the Netherlands meetings would be pivotal and they did fantastic with two massive wins and also without some star names. But a last day struggle against Austria saw them unable to get a basket difference needed to advance and they were squeezed out.
Czechia B+
Record: 2-4 (3rd in Group I)
At 0-4, there was no qualification jeopardy but the thought of heading into this summer as co-hosts having lost all six games was a worry. But Czechia stood up and recovered with two wins in the last window. In Julia Reisingerova and Emma Cechova they have a strong frontcourt, but they need more production from their guards and wings.
Denmark C+
Record: 1-5 (3rd in Group D) While only a solitary victory, it was a breathtaking one as they swept aside Estonia by 28 points in their opener. They will regret not being able to complete a win double over their rivals, but overall can take hear that they fought hard in this group. Maria Jespersen was class as usual, with Julianna Okosun also nicely showing her skills too.
Estonia C
Record: 1-5 (4th in Group D) After that difficult start against Denmark, Estonia showed grit and determination to make amends with a hard-fought success in the return fixture. But their basket difference across all games reflects a struggle. One of the lowest scorers in the competition, that was something they couldn't fix, even if Kadri Ann-Lass impressed.
Finland B-
Record: 2-4 (3rd in Group B) The Susiladies had Bulgaria's number with two convincing wins but were off the pace in their other four outings. Awak Kuier stood head and shoulders above her teammates with some typically dominant performances, but there was little in the way of support. The absence of the free-scoring Elina Aarnisalo hurt them far too much.
France A+
Record: 6-0 (1st in Group E) Their quality, depth, aggression and evolving offensive play was on a different planet. Nobody could live with them. They rotated so many players to showcase their incredible options and played some great basketball. Janelle Salaun and Marine Fauthoux led the way, with more than 10 players in double-digits for efficiency telling a story.
Germany A-
Record: 4-2 (2nd in Group I) With some headline names dipping in and out, this was a solid campaign by Germany except for a 19-point loss to Italy. Importantly, head coach Lisa Thomaidis was able to give some of the ballers in her wider rotation plenty of opportunities. The competition for a roster spot this summer looks intense and they could be eyeing the podium.
Great Britain A-
Record: 4-2 (2nd in Group D) With more luck, they could have had a 5-1 record or maybe the 6-0 record of arch rivals Sweden who edged them twice. With new coach Anna Montanana, they navigated the group well and did what they needed to do. Both Holly Winterburn and Temi Fagbenle led well, Sav Wilkinson shone and if Cheridene Green stays fit, they could be dangerous.
Greece B+
Record: 2-4 (4th in Group I) While it was a little up and down for Greece in terms of wins and losses, the picture remains largely positive and they showed what they need to do to be competitive this summer. The formula is set - a big reliance on the starting five and an intense defensive strategy. The main question mark is whether they have enough depth to call upon.
Hungary C+
Record: 3-3 (2nd in Group B) The fans have seen their nation go from being Semi-Finalists at the 2023 edition to not even making it this time around. In fact not even finishing with a winning record in the Qualifiers. The two losses to Bulgaria were simply devastating and they never got anywhere near the level they need to be. A reset button really needs to be pushed.
Iceland C+
Record: 1-5 (4th in Group F) This was perhaps a missed opportunity for Iceland who got a win against Romania and could have maybe managed to sneak one more. Especially with the emergence of scoring machine Danielle Rodriguez who was epic. If the excellent Sara Run Hinriksdottir had managed more than two games, the outcomes may have been brighter.
Ireland C
Record: 0-6 (4th in Group E) They were overwhelmed and felt a gulf in class when facing Olympic Finalists France. A lack of consistent scorers and too many turnovers put pressure on their defense throughout the Qualifiers. But in Claire Melia they have a warrior on the floor when available. The way her and the team signed off by almost upsetting Latvia was amazing.
Israel B-
Record: 2-4 (3rd in Group E) The campaign maybe went according to the script by losing twice to France and doing the double over Ireland. It was always going to boil down to the meetings with Latvia and two tight losses of three points each time was a bitter pill to swallow. Daniel Raber really lit it up, with Jennie Simms too, but in crunch time the team just fell short.
Italy A-
Record: 4-2 (1st in Group I) Taking top spot in the Group, this was a productive campaign. Their last window destruction of Germany was eye-catching and a glimpse into their potential. They cast the net wide with 23 players stepping out. Lorela Cubaj was very good and the future looks exciting with young guns and veterans like Matilde Villa and Cecilia Zandalasini.
Latvia B
Record: 4-2 (2nd in Group E) This will be a painful one for Latvia to have to take after missing out on one of the best runners-up spots because of basket difference. Not competing well enough with France ultimately sunk them and a near shock loss to Ireland on last day was alarming. That's despite Kitija Laksa and Anete Steinberga doing their best to fuel the team.
Lithuania A
Record: 4-2 (2nd in Group C) After 10 years away, Lithuania are back on the big stage. Credit is due for getting it done down the stretch in their two must-win games against Poland and almost toppling Belgium. Laura Juskaite was superb in the campaign and props are due to the likes of Juste Jocyte, Laura Miskiniene, Giedre Labuckiene and Dalia Donskichyte.
Luxembourg B+
Record: 4-2 (3rd in Group H) It started brilliantly but ended in heartache after losing out in a three-way tie. But Luxembourg should be incredibly proud of almost taking a historic first ticket. The absence of the brilliant Faith Ehi Etute impacted the last critical window, but the future is bright with so much young talent. Amanda Cahill was also immense as a new addition.
Montenegro B+
Record: 4-2 (1st in Group H) There were dramatic highs and lows, but they survived a three-way tie to win the group and secure an eighth successive ticket to the FIBA Women's EuroBasket. That is simply outstanding for the smallest nation to have ever qualified. Bojana Kovacevic was a rock and Natasha Mack returning for the last window was a difference-maker.
Netherlands B-
Record: 2-4 (3rd in Group A) This was a roller-coaster ride and the lowest dips came in both games against their closest rivals for runners-up spot. Croatia really had their number and that took away from a hard fight in Spain and a win double against Austria. Emese Hof was excellent, Laura Cornelius too, but they needed more from the rest of the roster.
North Macedonia C+
Record: 0-6 (4th in Group G) It was a tough challenge and after a bright opening in their first outing against Portugal, they couldn't push on until the last day when almost upsetting Ukraine. The one-two punch of Merritt Hempe and Andjelika Mitrashinovikj was an effective combo at times, but there wasn't enough in the longer rotation to be able to take any wins.
Poland B+
Record: 3-3 (3rd in Group C) Out of all 36 nations, Poland will probably be the ones left kicking themselves the most. Beating Belgium on the road in game one was sensational, but they suffered two agonizing losses to Lithuania that sunk their chances. Steph Mavunga was a difference-maker and they played positively, but came up short in crunch time - twice.
Portugal A+
Record: 5-1 (2nd in Group G) What a way to make history - by beating two-time champions Serbia in front of the adoring fans in Coimbra. Yes, Portugal have finally made the big show. The passion for women's hoops is huge and it will be a proud moment when they line up in June. It was a big team show across the Qualifiers, led by head coach Ricardo Vasconcelos.
Romania C
Record: 1-5 (3rd in Group F) While twice up against Türkiye was always going to be a challenge, there will be some disappointment that Romania could only muster one victory across four games with Iceland and Slovakia. Not enough ballers stepped up and it was left to Ana Virjoghe to stand more or less alone in terms of truly impressing in the games.
Serbia B+
Record: 5-1 (1st in Group G) Serbia are still in transition - major transition. As Marina Maljkovic just passed 100 games, the playcaller guided her side to Final Round but will be alarmed at a 17-point defeat to Portugal. Yvonne Anderson was superb, but the retirements of leaders such as Tina Krajisnik and Nevena Jovanovcic will leave a tough void to fill this summer.
Slovakia B
Record: 4-2 (2nd in Group F) It was a compotent effort from Slovakia to take a runners-spot place, but in a group that gave them a generous opportunity to advance, they couldn't capitalise. In mitigation, they did have some ballers missing, but outside of Terezia Palenikova, not enough players managed to find gthe high gear needed to get them over the line.
Slovenia A
Record: 5-1 (1st in Group B) Under pressure after a 19-point loss to Hungary on day one, Slovenia responded brilliantly to go 5 in a row. The arrival of Jessica Shepard in the second window was huge and it's a great look with Eva Lisec inside. With captain Teja Oblak back from injury and firing alongside Zala Friskovec, plus talented young guns, they have momentum.
Spain A
Record: 6-0 (1st in Group A) This has been an exciting journey of discovery. Spain went unbeaten, but were able to experiment with different players. The future is bright and with Iyana Martin Carrion and Awa Fam in particular, the stars of tomorrow are becoming the stars of today. But the spine is still experienced with Megan Gustafson, Laura Gil and Queralt Casas.
Sweden A+
Record: 6-0 (1st in Group D) What a fabulous effort by Kevin Taylor-Lundgren and his team. Punching a ticket and doing it with a perfect record for the first time. It included two nail-biting wins against the Brits and they deserve huge credit for getting it done. Klara Lundquist was super and the experience of Frida Eldebrink and Louice Halvarsson was absolutely vital.
Switzerland A+
Record: 4-2 (2nd in Group H) It was a night to remember as they booked their return for the first time in 69 years with that brilliant win-double in the last window. They did it without necessarily having one go-to star and relying on the team game, with Lin Schwarz, Stephanie Martinez and Nancy Fora leading at times. Everyone will now be so hyped for this summer.
Türkiye A-
Record: 6-0 (1st in Group F) You can't give anything but praise for a perfect Group F record and there was little that truly tested Ekrem Memnun and his team. As soon as Teaira McCowan parachuted into the Qualifiers for the second window it was game over for their rivals as she inspired them taking their ticket early. Elif Bayram and Tilbe Senyurek also caught the eye.
Ukraine C+
Record: 2-4 (3rd in Group G) Ukraine never looked like hitting anywhere near top gear in these Qualifiers and signed off with a couple of wins against North Macedonia but nothing from their four matchups with Portugal and Serbia. Alina Iagupova was still the pick, but not at her phenomenal best, which Ukraine really need to put themselves in contention to make it.
*The gradings are entirely subjective. All comments are purely those of the author.
FIBA