MUNICH (Germany) - The second of three FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers windows is about to swing into action and there's no better time to press the refresh button on the Smart Power Rankings.
Taking into account the first edition of the Power Rankings, subsequent results, performances, upcoming fixtures and personnel changes, our Expert Panel has updated the list heading into these upcoming games.
1. France (+2)
Current Record: 1st in Group E (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 3rd
What a 12 months it's been! Almost crowned Olympic champions after pushing USA in that dramatic gold medal game at Paris 2024, they've improved so much collectively and individually. Their trademark defense is so tough, headline duo Gabby Williams and Marine Johannes often look unstoppable and in Marine Fauthoux, Iliana Rupert, Janelle Salaun, Valeriane Ayayi and rising star Dominique Malonga, the roster is talent soaked. They will surely soon be 4-0.
2. Spain (-1)
Current Record: 1st in Group A (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 5th
It's harsh on the perfect Spain moving down, but it's only because of the brilliance of France moving up. There is still a lot to love at the moment. The team is ready to benefit from Maria Conde who is lighting it up at club level, they have the brilliant young gun Iyana Martin being integrated, they will get Raquel Carrera back if they make it as expected for the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025. With two wins banked, you have to go with them staying unbeaten in this window.
3. Hungary (+1)
Current Record: 1st in Group B (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 15th
Things are looking good for Hungary as they continue the healing from last February's heartache on home soil when they missed out on a Paris 2024 ticket in agonizing fashion. That led to a coaching change, but when it comes to these Qualifiers, it seems like they can stay on a good path. Reka Lelik is in form, Bernadett Hatar looks like she will continue to offer her services, they are 2-0 and have Bulgaria at home and a great matchup against Slovenia ahead.
4. Belgium (-2)
Current Record: 3rd in Group C (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th
It feels like such a long time ago when the Cats came for what was supposed to be a glorious homecoming off the back of making history with the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 title and Poland never read the script. Losing at home was a mega shock and now Belgium are under a little bit of pressure. They have no room for more slip-ups and Poland on the road will be tricky to say the least. Ready to bounce back, in Emma Meesseman they will trust.
5. Serbia (+1)
Current Record: 1st in Group G (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 9th
Serbia will expect to be 4-0 after this window but will have to play well with a home game against unbeaten Portugal and a road game against an unpredictable Ukraine. Since the first window, Serbia exceeded expectations by reaching the Quarter-Finals at Paris 2024. They will look to continue riding off the back of strong displays from the likes of Jovana Nogic, Yvonne Anderson and Dragana Stankovic as other younger players continue to establish themselves.
6. Germany (-1)
Current Record: 2nd in Group I (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 13th
Germany are riding the crest of a wave after a historical sixth place at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 and Olympic debut at Paris 2024 when they racked up a couple of historic wins. Satou and Nyara Sabally offers so much skill and power, Leonie Fiebich is now a huge star, the naturalized Alexis Peterson is the missing piece of the jigsaw, while Frieda Buhner is a super young talent. Playcaller Lisa Thomaidis has done a great job but will want to improve a 1-1 record.
7. Montenegro (-)
Current Record: 1st in Group H (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 22nd
So far, so good for Montenegro who are making the most of what always looked a very winnable group H against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxembourg and Switzerland. They have taken care of business and look likely to continue in this vein. It might be complacency that poses the biggest danger and they will have to take particular care against a dangerous Luxembourg on the road. The veteran know-how of Milica Jovanovic and Jovana Pasic will be so important.
8. Italy (-)
Current Record: 1st in Group I (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 16th
These are happy times for Italy as they continue to recover from their disappointment of missing the Quarter-Finals in Ljubljana last year. With no pressure of having to qualify this time because of their co-host status and also heading into this window unbeaten. They have a great chance to maintain that perfect record when going up against Greece and Czechia. Jasmine Keys and Lorela Cubaj are playing well, with attention as usual, likely to be on Cecilia Zandalasini.
9. Türkiye (+1)
Current Record: 1st in Group F (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 17th
There could be major celebrations in this window as Türkiye are one of only a few teams that can potentially grab a ticket to next year's prestigious event. It is in the frontcourt where they are looking strong, since Teaira McCowan is a walking double-double if she suits up as expected, Tilbe Senyurek is always influential and Elif Bayram is playing the best basketball of her life with Besiktas. Romania at home should be a win, but Slovakia on the road might be tough.
10. Sweden (+2)
Current Record: 1st in Group D (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 27th
The feel good factor is back for Swedish basketball. They won a critical and exciting one in Great Britain, which might be vital. The fly in the ointment is that the Brits will be so motivated and out for revenge and so Sweden must be fully switched on. They have a nice mix of experience and youth together for this second window, with Regan Magarity and Ellen Nystrom important in slowing down Temi Fagbenle. Klara Lundquist will put points on the board in the backcourt.
11. Czechia (-2)
Current Record: 4th in Group I (0-2) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 21st
It was a disappointing first window for Czechia after a pair of losses, although they can take considerable solace in the fact they are already qualified as FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 co-hosts. It doesn't get any easier though against an unbeaten Italy and a Germany side rising up strongly. The good news is that they have some excellent emerging stars like Eliska Hamzova who is killing it in EuroLeague Women and center Emma Cechova. So, good things lie in wait.
12. Great Britain (-1)
Current Record: 2nd in Group D (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 23rd
That agonizing defeat on their home floor to Sweden still sticks in their throat so expect them to go all guns blazing as new head coach Anna Montanana looks to make a big impact in her first window. The formula will be Holly Winterburn bringing it in the guard spot, with Fagbenle causing havoc in the paint. The Besiktas JK teammates hold the key for sure, although if Great Britain want to lock down a spot, they will need third and fourth scoring contributors to emerge.
13. Greece (-)
Current Record: 3rd in Group I (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 18th
The smiles in the Greece camp should be big this week with the return of Mariella Fasoula who missed the first window due to injury. Their marquee star is back and will be central to next year's co-hosts improving on that 1-1 record. They face Germany and Italy and so will need Fasoula in a high gear, with the experience of Artemis Spanou alongside her in what is often a highly productive partnership. Eleanna Christinaki is likely to provide the points from the wings.
14. Slovakia (-)
Current Record: 2nd in Group F (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 29th
It's probably generous to retain Slovakia and not move them down after a huge loss to Türkiye in the first window, with the margin of loss potentially a problem in the final shake-up. Likely to improve to 2-1 by beating Iceland, they have a rematch with Türkiye at home and it feels like this will be the make or break game. The retirement of long time leader Barbora Wrzesinski is a blow, so they will have to lean even more on Miroslava Mistinova and Terezia Palenikova.
15. Slovenia (-)
Current Record: 3rd in Group B (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 25th
The addition of the naturalized Jessica Shepard gives a boost in the paint and forms a potentially potent partnership with Eva Lisec. But with the frontcourt looking incredibly powerful now, the focus will be on the backcourt and how they handle the absence of injured captain Teja Oblak. Undoubtedly Zala Friskovec will need to turn up the dial and while they have some great young guns, the time is now. Finland away and Hungary at home could be very difficult.
16. Poland (+5)
Current Record: 2nd in Group C (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 44th
It's a big jump for Poland after a sensational first game when they beat Belgium on the road and ruined the homecoming party for the Cats. Despite losing a tight one at home to Lithuania which could be costly in the final shake-up, they're in the mix to advance. The presence of Steph Mavunga in the naturalized spot has been a game changer, but Weronika Gajda and Weronika Telenga have also made big contributions. Can this trio really hit the heights again?
17. Finland (+1)
Current Record: 2nd in Group B (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 60th
Opportunity knocks for Finland - perhaps like never before. With a 1-1 solid first window behind them and two home games against Slovenia and Bulgaria to come, can they improve to 3-1 heading into the final window? Awak Kuier will be the centerpiece as usual and has impressed again so far with Umana Reyer Venezia. Sara Bejedi can provide a huge scoring punch and those two are the ones that will likely determine if Finland can keep making big positive strides.
18. Lithuania (+4)
Current Record: 1st in Group C (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 45th
Lithuania have catapulted themselves into contention with a great first window and if they can build on this by now going 3-1, it could be a very exciting final window in February next year. Their nail-biting success in Poland was brilliant but the flip-side is that they have to play reigning champions Belgium twice in their next four games - and without the legendary Gintare Petronyte who has retired. Still, they have a lot of talent to push the Cats hard and make life difficult.
19. Latvia (-3)
Current Record: 2nd in Group E (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 28th
What a rollercoaster it's been so far for Latvia who were swept aside brutally by France in their opener and then they had to dig deep to pull out a nail-biting success against Israel. They should breeze past Ireland in this next home double header. But can they keep pace with France this time? Anete Steinberga must have a huge game under the basket and if Kitija Laksa can find the hot-hand, then maybe. But it looks like another 1-1 window is the likely outcome.
20. Portugal (+3)
Current Record: 2nd in Group G (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 46th
Trying for so long to make it to the big show, could 2025 be the year when they finally make it? The dream is alive after a 2-0 start. The challenge is somehow managing to get a result in Serbia which would be an amazing accomplishment. In the likes of Laura Ferreira, Marcia da Costa, Maria Joao Correia, Maria Kostourkova and Sofia da Silva, Portugal have plenty of options. That growing depth is making them tough to slow down and they're looking genuine contenders.
21. Croatia (+3)
Current Record: 2nd in Group A (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 34th
It still looks a long shot for to advance because of the presence of Spain in the group. But, Croatia fought hard in the first meeting in a five-point loss, while also strolling past Netherlands in their other game. Much will depend on who they can get onto the floor. They were hit by news of Nika Muhl getting injured as she would have been a great addition on her return from the States. The responsibility will maybe rest on Iva Slonjsak, Ana-Marija Begic and Mihaela Lazic.
22. Luxembourg (+5)
Current Record: 2nd in Group H (2-0) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 57th
It's a richly deserved leap of five places for Luxembourg and it feels like something special is building right now - even if it might not ultimately be early enough to make the big tournament next year. Beating both Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first window, can they cause a shock by beating Montenegro? It's not out of the question with their brilliant marquee baller Faith Ehi Etute, who is leading her country in just about every single statistical category.
23. Bosnia and Herzegovina (-6)
Current Record: 4th in Group H (0-2) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 19th
After positive feeling heading into the Qualifiers after an arguably generous draw, the wheels came off. It's now bleak after a huge derby loss to Montenegro and a double-digit reverse to Luxembourg. There's been a change to the head coach position and they do have winnable games on paper, with Melisa Brcaninovic always capable of game-defining displays. However, that fifth place at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 really does now feel like an absolute lifetime ago.
24. Israel (+1)
Current Record: 3rd in Group E (1-1) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 47th
The biggest challenge is having France twice in their last four games which will be a mammoth challenge. Although at least after a difficult and disappointing campaign as co-hosts of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023, they performed well in the first window - beating Ireland comfortably and just being edged out by Latvia. Eden Rotberg and Jennie Simms are likely to carry their hopes. Can they stay competitive against the French and handle the defensive pressure?
25. Ukraine (-6)
Current Record: 4th in Group G (0-2) FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 33rd
The qualification hopes of Ukraine are hanging by a thread and only the return of the amazing Alina Iagupova probably gives them some hope that they can somehow turn things around and sneak a spot. She will need to erupt in trademark fashion with a couple of big shows if they are to get it done. Although much will also hinge on the supporting cast too and especially Tetiana Yurkevichus and Viktoriia Balaban who performed well in the first window.
The rest of the field
#26 Netherlands - #27 Estonia -7 #28 Denmark +2 #29 Bulgaria -1 #30 Romania +1 #31 Switzerland -2 #32 Iceland - #33 Austria - #34 Ireland - #35 North Macedonia - #36 Azerbaijan - *The Power Rankings are out together by our Expert Panel. They are entirely subjective and are in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.
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