Six games you don't want to miss in November

MUNICH (Germany) - The schedule for the first window FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers window has been set with the locations and tip-off times confirmed, following the latest news that two fixtures involving Israel have been rescheduled to February 2024.

The other 35 national teams will spark back into life in November for the first official games since the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023, with plenty of mouth-watering matchups guaranteed.

Defending champions Belgium will symbolically raise the curtain when they host Poland on Wednesday, November 8, with many more exciting matchups on offer on Thursday, November 9 and Sunday, November 12. 

You will find the finalized schedule here, but we've done done the hard work and picked out six of the very best games to put on your watchlist. 

Don't forget to also check out the latest roster announcements!

Belgium vs Poland

Time: Wednesday, November 8 - 20:30 CET
Venue: Antwerp Arena, Antwerp (BEL)

It feels rather fitting that it should be recently crowned champions Belgium who tip off the Qualifiers and with it, the defense of their crown. Led by 2023 MVP Emma Meesseman, the Cats will know the party in Ljubljana is now just an amazing memory. They will have an even bigger target on their backs as champions and underdogs Poland might just fancy their chances of creating an upset. They made huge strides in the last qualifying campaign and only just missed out on making it to the Final Round.

Serbia vs Ukraine

Time: Thursday, November 9 - 18:00 CET
Venue: Ranko Zeravica Sports Hall, Belgrade (SRB)

Champions in both 2015 and 2021, as well as taking bronze in 2019 on home soil, Serbia had to settle for fifth place at the last edition as they relinquished their title. However, with a degree of transition taking place in terms of personnel, it was maybe to be expected. Still boasting several top players including playmaker Yvonne Anderson, head coach Marina Maljkovic will now the key to avoiding a slip-up against Ukraine will be slowing down the on-court hurricane and highlight queen that is Alina Iagupova. She's a player the playcaller knows well from Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding last season where the pair won a historic EuroLeague Women title together. 

Czechia vs Germany

Time: Thursday, November 9 - 18:00 CET
Venue: Kralovka Arena, Prague (CZE)

One of the stories of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023, there was no doubt that Czechia won the hearts of many basketball fans with their fearless approach and roller-coaster ride. Without some big-hitters, they brought in a number of youngsters who shone and caused some surprises. While it ended in heartache as they fell agonizingly short of a FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament ticket, head coach Romana Ptackova won rave reviews for their efforts. Germany did get that OQT spot as their new playcaller Lisa Thomaidis guided them to sixth place behind some great shows from the likes of Mare Guelich and Leonie Fiebich.

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Montenegro

Time: Thursday, November 9 - 20:00 CET
Venue: Sports Hall Hills, Sarajevo (BIH)

There will be fireworks in this Balkan derby contest between two nations who have used their respective underdog status to make waves previously. Bosnia and Herzegovina wrote major headlines by making history in 2021 when they made the FIBA Women's EuroBasket for the first time and even went on to make the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney. Meanwhile Montenegro arguably punch up the basketball weight divisions more  consistently than anyone. Playing at a staggering seventh straight edition, they made the Quarter-Finals in Ljubljana and were inspired by some great team showings, led by Natasha Mack.

Italy vs Greece

Time: Thursday, November 9 - 20:00 CET
Venue: Palesport Vigevano, Vigevano (ITA)

When Italy and Greece both missed out on a ticket from Tel Aviv to the Quarter-Finals in Ljubljana, they probably had the same feeling of having allowed a glorious opportunity to slip through their collective fingers. Both nations will be looking to bounce back strongly and perhaps Italy the most as they had even been talked about as podium material. With a glut of young players coming through and a super marquee player in Cecilia Zandalasini, they can be confident but must be in top gear against a Greece team that still has quality, despite missing the injured Mariella Fasoula.

Poland vs Lithuania

Time: Sunday, November 12 - 17:15 CET
Venue: Hala Szopienice, Katowice (POL)

United by their disappointment at missing out on a qualifying ticket for the 2023 edition, both nations will be eager to make up for this by getting off to a lightning start this time around. Meanwhile with champions Belgium in the group as well, the significance of the two games against each other will not be lost on Poland or Lithuania. The former is on an upward curve and took the big scalps of Turkiye and Slovenia in the last qualifying campaign. Lithuania are always in the mix but know that a decade away from the top table is something they will want to avoid. 

FIBA