FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers Power Rankings: Volume 1

MUNICH (Germany) - The race to make it to the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 is about to begin and it's time to reveal the first volume of the Power Rankings for the Qualifiers.

With four co-hosts in Czechia, Germany, Greece and Italy all participating in the qualifying windows and guaranteed their place, there are another 32 nations fighting it out for the remaining 12 tickets on offer for the event.

Taking into account coaching and roster news, tradition and of course the all-important draw and groups, here's how they line up in the race to punch a ticket to the 2025 big show.

#1 Spain 

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 2nd
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 4th

They could, and some might argue should, have finished as FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 winners. They certainly had the opportunity. Now they go again, no doubt stung by falling short. With a deep talent pool including the newly naturalized Megan Gustafson, plus nothing to fear in a group with Austria, Croatia and Netherlands, everyone seems to see them posting a 6-0 campaign. On that basis - they take the top step of this Power Rankings podium.

#2 Belgium  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 1st
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th 

A disrespect not having the Cats and holders as number one, right? No, wrong. Let's face it, they would love to be playing in Spain's group. Poland might be tricky and so might Lithuania at a later date when they get key ballers back. Belgium have a brilliant team, but the eggs are still stacked in the Emma Meesseman basket. So before complaints fly in, you must change the mentality. That amazing first silverware now means zero. You start over like everyone else. 

#3 France

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 3rd 
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 7th 

Still FIBA Women's EuroBasket podium magnets, France will be expected to secure their place - even if they have two challenging games against Latvia to consider. Plus the danger of being distracted by Paris 2024, the fact that (whisper it quietly) have some marquee ballers who won't be playing in this window and a mini injury crisis. But they're still well stocked with talent and will look to Iliana Rupert, Sarah Michel, Marine Fauthoux and others. 

#4 Hungary  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 4th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 19th

It's boom time with a FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (as hosts) in sight, but first an opportunity to continue that Semi-Finals momentum from Ljubljana. The fly in the ointment is that it needs hard work, no complacency and a tougher, killer mentality. They have a great selection of players and an impressive coach. Their frontcourt rotation of Bernadett Hatar, Virag Kiss and Cyesha Goree frontcourt looks massively important.

#5 Germany  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 6th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 25th 

Another nation on the rise, it should not be long before Germany establish themselves as true podium contenders. Lisa Thomaidis thrived in taking them to sixth at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023, while Paris 2024 is not out of the question. Leonie Fiebich is on fire, Marie Guelich and Luisa Geiselsoder are so strong and so if Satou Sabally and sister Nyara can get onto the court at some point then  it could be epic.

#6 Serbia  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 5th 
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 10th

It was a little bit ugly if the truth be told at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 as the former champions gave up their grip on the prize. It still feels a little transitional - albeit with massive experience in there from Yvonne Anderson, Aleksandra Crvendakic  and Tina Krajisnik. But some of these younger players need to produce consistently now. Ukraine and Portugal are not exactly easy, but Marina Maljkovic should get her team through it.

#7 Montenegro  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 8th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 24th

It was a brilliant run to the Quarter-Finals in Tel Aviv and Ljubljana, but now can they punch a ticket to a jaw-dropping eighth consecutive Final Round? It would be epic. Even without centerpiece Natasha Mack or the retired Jelena Dubljevic, it feels like other ballers are capable of stepping up and playcaller Jelena Skerovic has done a truly great job. Their high placing is due to a dream group of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland and Luxembourg.

#8 Italy  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 9th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 15th

You can label what happened in Tel Aviv at the last edition anything from disappointing to maybe even unacceptable or embarrassing - maybe somewhere in between. They underperformed massively for the talent they have and now they at least don't have any pressure as co-hosts in 2025. That is perfect for a nation who has so many young guns to look to such as Matilde Villa, so these games give a great platform to build a podium challenge for the next edition.

#9 Czechia  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021: 7th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 22nd

After the most bitter-sweet of FIBA Women's EuroBasket campaigns, their headline grabbing displays were built on a sweet fusion of experience and youth. While they lost agonizingly in a couple of games at the death. head coach Romana Ptackova won rave reviews for the way she integrated young ballers such as Emma Cechova and Dominka Paurova. With Julia Reisengerova to add back and with co-hosting in 2025 giving them a pass, everything looks rosy.

#10 Turkiye  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 14th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 14th

Are Turkiye the most fortunate team on the continent? In these past years they always seem to get a relatively comfortable qualifying group, then proceed to fall flat at the actual event. It's been a rinse and repeat for several consecutive editions. Playcaller Ekrem Memun will be relieved at the draw yet again and will look to Tilbe Senyurek in the frontcourt, plus Olcay Cakir Turgut in the backcourt. Ranking them 10th is generous, but that really is the luck of the draw.

#11 Great Britain  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 10th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 21st

A generous ranking - or not? They're in a fascinating group with Sweden, Estonia and Denmark. All beatable, but also liable to bite you on the backside if you're not ready. The Brits should be slight favorites, or at least if you are wearing  Chema Buceta's famous 'positive glasses'. Temi Fagbenle will lead as always, Holly Winterburn is growing in influence and Chan Handy has continued the recent trend of player across Europe coming out of retirement. 

#12 Sweden  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 27th

Opportunity knocks for Sweden? Feels like it. The glass is half empty in the sense that Elin Eldebrink has sadly been ruled out with a serious injury and Amanda Zahui has retired. Yet maybe half full with Frida Eldebrink back out of retirement - along with another veteran in Louice Halvarsson (you see why it's a trend now?). They could really give Great Britain a run for top spot, especially if Elin Gustavsson and Ellen Nystrom continue their good club form. 

#13 Greece  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 11th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 18th

Our hearts are still pounding as neutrals after that 79-76 loss to Czechia in Tel Aviv that would have sent Greece to the Quarter-Finals. It was nail-biting, but ultimately a case of what might have been. A new chapter starts with the word 'relief'. Because with the brilliant Mariella Fasoula sustaining an ACL injury, Greece will be blowing out their cheeks in sheer relief that this time around they have an automatic ticket as a co-hosts.

#14 Slovakia  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 12th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 28th

Life feels good! They're potentially going to give Montenegro a challenge for the moniker of being  'best underdogs in Europe' having burst out of the Group Phase at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 against all expectations. Now they can dream of yet another Final Round trip in a group with Iceland and Romania who they should beat and also Turkiye who they toppled in Ljubljana. It should be fuel for Martin Popisil who recently picked up the coaching reins.

#15 Slovenia  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 12th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 28th

You're going to have to chew young fingernails Slovenia fans! An already very young group will be without the inspirational and unfortunately injured team leader Teja Oblak for this first window and that is not good against a deep Hungary side on the up. It means massive pressure on Zala Friskovec and Eva Lisec, while those young guns like Ajsa Sivka are going to have to continue stepping up. Qualification or not looks to be absolutely on a knife edge!

#16 Latvia  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 13th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 29th

That really did sting a lot in Tel Aviv back in the summer when they firstly stunned everyone by beating Spain in the first game only to then crash against both Greece and Montenegro to end up with the unwanted early flight home to Riga. With France in their group, it's going to be tough, but with Anete Steinberga, Kitija Laksa and Aleksa Gulbe, they will feel they can possibly take a win and push for pole position. But which Latvia will turn up? It's anyone's guess.

#17 Bosnia and Herzegovina  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 17th

From the sensational peak of fifth place in 2021 and a spot at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022, to the serious trough of what unfolded in Sydney, to the post-Jonquel Jones era of missing out on the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. Yes, it's been emotional and quite the ride. New head coach Milos Pavlovic doesn't have JJ to use, but he does have a reasonable group with Montenegro, Switzerland and Luxembourg. They at least have a chance.

#18 Finland  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 66th

Out of context ranking alert! 66th in the world and close to a FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 spot. Maybe we are exaggerating the Susiladies potential, but they have many good young players coming through and could potentially make a big step in these next years. With Awak Kuier a tower of strength in the frontcourt and the exciting Elina Aarnisalo free-scoring from the backcourt, maybe this ranking is not as crazy as it seems on first glance?

#19 Ukraine  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 34th

The script? Alina Iagupova puts in some amazing performances, a few of her teammates do the same occasionally and collectively they come up with at least one spectacular result. But sometimes it is not enough to progress. Sounds familiar? Cut and paste. This time that remarkable performance and result will need to come against Serbia. But one thing is guaranteed, we will all love watching Iagupova and be sat waiting for those highlight reels!

#20 Estonia 

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 69th

Out of leftfield? Well, yes and no. Sure, Estonia are ranked 69th in the world, so having them as a Top 20 team might seem fanciful - perhaps even deluded. But remember, they beat Great Britain in the last Qualifiers, will face them again, could feasibly beat Denmark twice and also cause Sweden some issues. Wow - how exciting? They have a chance of being group disruptors if the newly naturalised Tea Adams can produce and Annika Koster is epic again. 

#21 Poland  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 44th

Could Poland give us a seriously bloody nose with this ranking? They packed a punch in the last campaign by beating both Turkiye and Slovenia, only just falling short. Getting France and Lithuania this time in their group is tough and it could have been better. However, Weronika Gajda is balling out with KGHM BC Polkowice and her teammate Stephanie Mavunga has been naturalized which is exciting. So will they only just miss out again, or will they sneak in?

#22 Lithuania  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 46th

The brutal reality is that with unavailable marquee players for this first window Lithuania could be sat behind the curve for the remainder of the campaign. When you have a team like reigning champions Belgium in your pool, you need Kamile Nacickaite, Juste Jocyte and Monika Grigalauskyte on the court. Qualifying is still doable as they can still call upon some talented players, but a bit like in the last Qualifiers when they had France in their group, not exactly likely. 

#23 Portugal  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 48th

Always liable to pick up a win or two in any campaign, Portugal are still potential yet to materialize into production - or at least production of a Final Round ticket. They often push hard and challenge, but to get over the line it will take something special and they probably don't have that amazing marquee baller to lead them. And they probably need one if they are to get past Serbia and Ukraine in what is a difficult-looking task ahead.

#24 Croatia  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 36th

Bad luck seems to have haunted Croatia in the recent past. This time they have headliners Ivana Dojkic doubtful and Ana-Marija Begic injured, while some of their most promising young players are also not able to step in. For example, Dorja Iva Zaja is injured and Nika Muhl is still to finish her NCAA duties with UConn. Then you go and get drawn with Spain. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. 

#25 Israel  

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023: 16th
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 49th

With a massively disappointing time as co-hosts of FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 behind them, Israel must now wait to turn a new page after their games were postponed until 2024. Time will tell if they can recover and punch a ticket via qualifying games for the first time since 2011. 

The rest of the field

#26 Netherlands
#27 Luxembourg
#28 Bulgaria
#29 Switzerland 
#30 Denmark 
#31 Romania
#32 Iceland 
#33 Austria
#34 Ireland
#35 North Macedonia
#36 Azerbaijan

*The Power Rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.