MUNICH (Germany) - The countdown to the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 in June is now in full swing in the wake of an intriguing draw for this summer's showpiece event.
The big tip-off might still be months away, but it's time to begin the epic task of somehow trying to predict who will be the challengers - and, who won't.
Taking into account the results and performances in the Qualifiers, plus the all-important draw, here's how our Expert Panel are calling it.
1. France
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 3rd
France are the locks for gold - right? If you're shaking your head, you must have missed them almost toppling USA at Paris 2024. Are they now runaway favorites and will only shed that status unless something dramatic happens? They have so much quality and depth, even absences would have to be serious for them to lose number one spot.
Is it even worth listing their major ballers, their clutch performers and the sensational glut of rising stars fighting it out just to make the bench? Probably not, since there's too many to mention. It's got to be their title to lose. Or, is this just way too dramatic a statement to be making at this early stage?
2. Belgium
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th
It will be a tough and talented team that prevents the Cats successfully retaining their title. Belgium have one of the best stars in the modern history of the competition in reigning MVP Emma Meesseman. They have class in Julie Allemand, Julie Vanloo and Kyara Linskens to name a few. Yes, you're right, there are also a few more to list.
But only two nations have ever held onto their crown - ever. Mike Thibault will have had loads more time to work with the players having only joined before the last qualifying window. But Belgium lost to Poland and almost fell to Lithuania, so even if their quality is always on show, they can still be vulnerable and don't have an air of invincibility.
3. Germany
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 13th
Is this a ranking that will send shockwaves out? Maybe, but Germany did finish sixth in 2023, made a splash on Olympic debut and have home advantage as co-hosts. If you're demanding more justification - what about the prospect of a starting five of Alexis Peterson, Leonie Fiebich, Satou Sabally, Nyara Sabally and Marie Guelich?
Also, when coach Lisa Thomaidis looks down her bench, it feels like it is growing and getting deeper with every game. You have to love how Luisa Geiselsoder is performing and she may have just posted the best season of her EuroLeague Women career, while Frieda Buhner is pushing to be a legit starting contender. There's loads to love! But of course the huge fly in the ointment is being in a 'Group of Death' - so, it's no certainty they'll even advance.
4. Spain
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 5th
Is your glass (of Sangria) half empty or half full Spanish fans? It's an intriguing one. You can't play on tradition of course and history means very little in the heat of battle. But Spain have always competed for titles and medals and even in a period of transition, they could be up there. There should be an extraordinarily nice mix of youth and experience - something that could be the antidote for a super challenging group phase.
We will get to see a possible frontcourt duo of Megan Gustafson and Raquel Carrera - genuinely exciting even for neutrals. Throw in the ever-improving rising star Awa Fam and the paint looks strong. But it's the justified hype around Iyana Martin Carrion that makes you think a title challenge is likely. This teenager looks something special.
5. Slovenia
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 22nd
There has to be a dark horse for every tournament! Making sure it rides into the light and immediately changes the description into the 'not-so-dark horse', Slovenia might just be ready for a podium push. It may be a bold statement, but with the naturalized Jessica Shepard on board, they do look a vastly different and stronger team. The one-two punch with Eva Lisec gives them real power and poise inside. The veteran class of captain Teja Oblak alongside sharp-shooting Zala Friskovec is great backcourt, with young gun Ajsa Sivka linking things together. Depth is still a question mark, but it's a realistic ambition to make a deep run - if they get out of a difficult group!
6. Italy
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 16th
There's a big question mark over a top six spot spot in these rankings as they're in a really challenging group. But if Italy do manage to escape from it - is this their year to push towards the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup? Maybe even the podium in Piraeus? Yes, we've heard it all before about untapped potential, but is 2025 their year?
The young guns are getting more and more assured, the defensive arrangements looked solid in qualifying and the signs are good. There is so much riding on the displays and production of Cecilia Zandalasini, Matilde Villa and Jasmine Keys. If they perform at the offensive end in particular, then opportunity knocks for the Azzurre.
7. Türkiye
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 17th
No doubt satisfied with a draw that gives them a launch-pad for a deep run, they will be expected to make the Quarter-Finals. With the colossus that is Teaira McCowan in situ, they can be a real handful. How many ballers in this competition can genuinely guard her? You don't need many fingers on your hands to tally the answer!
But Türkiye need to spread their wings as a team. Having all their eggs in the McCowan basket is probably only going to get them so far. Who are the players ready to turn up the noise and make their nation great again on the biggest stage? They have an opportunity, but it's still not clear who's ready to lead and make sure they take it!
8. Serbia
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 8th
Cut and paste. Is this the tournament when Serbia come up short? It's a question that has been asked so many times before. And, you've guessed it, every time, the legendary Marina Maljkovic finds a solution. But that is getting a tougher problem to resolve every time as personnel changes and experience disappears. Their core rotation that delivered so much success has halved and is evaporating. A change of generation is at full tilt right now. Despite Yvonne Anderson, Jovana Nogic and Ivana Raca, they might just labor this time - or can they defy the odds yet again? A tough Group Phase means they're going to have to really dig it out with their defense.
9. Czechia
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 18th
Things were looking worrying after an 0-4 start in the Qualifiers but a last window win-double has changed the mood music - a lot. Even if that music is not full-on party tunes just yet, it's definitely sounding more upbeat. The wins against Greece and Italy added confidence and so did the draw, which holds few fears.
Czechia will eye another win double - this time on home soil against Montenegro and newcomers Portugal. That might just get them into the last eight, but there is a question mark over their consistency and whether they have enough firepower from the backcourt. They were so unlucky in 2023, can they make amends this time around?
10. Greece
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 21st
Defense is the word. It's always been the main word for a Greece side in recent times that have shown their potential to be disruptors and warriors in pursuit of getting things done. They will have to embrace that mentality as gladiators when the action gets underway in Piraeus. Will it be enough to advance?
Perhaps. Especially when you can count on the quality of Elena Tsineke, Artemis Spanou and Maria Fasoula. But it's going to be about what happens outside of their leading lights. Because right now, it's questionable if they will be able to land enough blows to progress. The game against Türkiye already looks like a potentially epic deal-breaker.
11. Lithuania
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 45th
Nice to see you again Lietuva! It was a super campaign in a really awkward qualifying group that earned this return ticket and the excitement doesn't stop there. There looks to be barely anything between any of the teams in Group B and so even if they find themselves down in 11th in this rankings, the Quarter-Finals are still there for the taking!
Even for neutral basketball fans, seeing Juste Jocyte on the court at her first ever FIBA Women's EuroBasket will be poetry in motion. But there needs to be more to the story and that is where Laura Juskaite can step in and turn the energy dial up to max. If she does this, and we get magic from Jocyte, then who knows how fun this could be?
12. Sweden
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 25th
The feel-good factor was back after punching their ticket way back during the second window of the Qualifiers. Sweden might be feeling a little differently now of course after being handed a spot in a 'Group of Death' with Spain and Germany - complicated further by yet another meeting with qualification rivals Great Britain.
Then again, with Klara Lundquist balling out in an eye-popping way, Sweden have an offensive force that can take them beyond this tricky opening phase. Their headliner is so vital to what they do, but the supporting cast is pretty good too and they also have big experience which will be vital with some challenging moments almost inevitable.
13. Montenegro
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 19th
The Natasha Mack factor is strong. Yes, feel the force of this often overpowering element of Montenegro's approach. If the forward is in the lineup and playing well, they look like a completely different team. Sure, not exactly world beaters and champions in waiting - but capable of putting wins on the board in this competition.
The Cats will be tough, but both Czechia and Portugal will make Jelena Skerovic and her players think about extending their legacy further. They already did that after making an eighth straight edition - unbelievable as one of the smallest ever nations to make it. Writing them off does feel wrong, but they can use this as added motivation!
14. Great Britain
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 20th
Anna Montanana is maybe going to have a rough ride at the helm in her first major tournament after that draw. To finish above her native Spain and Germany is going to mean the Brits having all their best ballers on board and also being able to find a higher gear. A rematch with Sweden will be interesting after narrow losses in the Qualifiers!
It just can't be a two-pronged campaign by the Brits that is led by Holly Winterburn and Temi Fagbenle. As good as they are, this won't be enough. If the Brits are to defy the odds and make the last eight, it's going to have to take something special from a deeper rotation. Who's got what it takes to play the role as third and fourth scorers?
15. Portugal
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 40th
Welcome to the big show Portugal! Yes, just the small matter of your first ever FIBA Women's EuroBasket game being a clash with defending champions, Belgium. Wow - how exciting is that? Imagine if they could test the holders on their first ever outing. An actual win would be put up in neon lights as one of the biggest shocks ever!
This Portugal team is that they are exactly this - a team. It is team basketball that so often gets them over the line. They don't really have a marquee baller, but many different contributors on any given night. History has already been made in making it, but Czechia and Montenegro present opportunities of a historic win at their debut edition.
16. Switzerland
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 49th When you're back after almost seven decades away, you could argue it doesn't matter who you are waiting to play. It's all about being at the party - right? Drawing France must have drawn a few sighs, but Greece and Türkiye could have been even tougher, so there's hope of an upset from the Swiss.
All the stars will need to align - from their opponents having an off-day, to shooting the lights out themselves, but this competition has been peppered by shocks down the years. There is a vacancy for one or two ballers to make themselves absolute legends of Swiss basketball by showing out when the action gets underway. *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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