FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Power Rankings, Volume 1

MUNICH (Germany) - With the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 exactly a month away, it's time to check in for the first volume of the Power Rankings.

Taking into account the form and results of all 16 nations during the Qualifiers, their latest squad announcements and any preparation activities, here's the first of three editions ahead of the big tip-off next month, with 2021 runners-up France headlining the field.

1. France   

Qualifiers Record: 5-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th

All the ingredients are in place but that is probably sending a surging sense of deja vu through your mind, right? Talent, depth, experience, rising stars and some momentum from the Qualifiers. Marine Johannes is on fire, Gabby Williams is doing Gabby Williams things, Sandrine Gruda is the third highest scorer in the tournament's history, Marine Fauthoux has added clutch to her game, Iliana Rupert is a tower of strength, Valeriane Vukosavljevic is playing some of the best basketball of her life... What more do you need? 

2. Spain  

Qualifiers Record: 6-0 
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 4th 

Have we all recovered from what happened in 2021 when they finished seventh? It felt weird even for the neutrals. Their unbeaten qualifying campaign and the fact they will still have ballers who know how to win titles such as Alba Torrens, Cristina Ouvina, Silvia Dominguez and Laura Gil - plus newer faces like Maria Conde and Raquel Carrera surely means they will be back challenging for the podium. Getting new head coach Miguel Mendez was vital as he know what it takes to be a success, so it's looking good for Spain again.

3. Belgium  

Qualifiers Record: 4-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 7th

Even Emma Meesseman recently admitted Belgium are heading into the unknown after losing some experienced players such as Kim Mestdagh and Marjorie Carpreaux. They also have their third head coach since the start of the 2021 edition... but with a glut of younger players ready to turn up the noise such as Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka and Billie Massey, plus Meesseman and Julie Allemand ready to carry them in the biggest moments, why wouldn't they be capable of repeating their bronze medal success of 2017 and two years ago?

 
Serbia impressed at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 despite being without several leading players

4. Serbia   

Qualifiers Record: 4-0 
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 8th

The reigning champions have seen the legendary Sonja Vasic and 2021 MVP retire 2021, along with the brilliant Jelena Brooks. But wipe those tears away!  At the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 they showed they can still be a force. They were without another influential leader in Aleksandra Crvendakic who was injured, but still took great steps in a transitionary period. Crvendakic should be back and with Yvonne Anderson and Tina Krajisnik at both ends of the floor, they can look forward to a deep run again.

5. Italy   

Qualifiers Record: 6-0 
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 14th

This could be the start of a beautiful era with a growing number of influentiual and accomplished performers, more depth than in previous years and a stunning number of exciting young players. At past editions, a Quarter-Finals spot has been the aim, but now they must meet our expectations of the top five. Cecilia Zanadalasini and Jasmine Keys in particular can lead brilliantly and will be pivotal. But have we went too early and realistically will 2025 actually be Italy's year when the young guns are a bit more experienced?

6. Turkey    

Qualifiers Record: 5-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 11th

There is a disclaimer at the bottom of these power rankings but an even stronger one comes with this specific ranking. The caveat is that the phenomenal Teaira McCowan is added to the roster. If she is, then they have a potential All-Star Five member. Outside of this, there are question marks over the role and minutes of Turkish players in club competitions, But they showed by beating Slovenia twice in qualifying they can step up. But can they do it consistently? Also what happens if McCowan isn't added? 

 
Latvia made the Quarter-Finals in 2017 the last time leader Anete Steinberga suited up at Women's EuroBasket

7. Latvia   

Qualifiers Record: 4-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 25th

Latvia didn't feature in 2021 and are now reflecting on an unbeaten qualifying campaign which looked tricky against Israel and Sweden. Could they be about to revive their impressive Quarter-Finals place from 2017? With Anete Steinberga back for the first time since that great showing six years ago and with Kitija Laksa having the hot-hand on the wing, it could be like 2017 all over again. The only fly in the ointment is the recent retirement of Elina Babkina who we all wanted to hang her shoes up after this tournament!

8. Slovenia   

Qualifiers Record: 3-3
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 19th

Oh dear! The results from the Qualifiers were underwhelming and saw them lose twice to Turkey and once to Poland. Throw in the absence of the naturalized Shante Evans, long-serving Nika Baric and injuries to both Teja Gorsic and Marusa Senicar and their prospects look to be hanging in the balance. The pressure on captain Teja Oblak, sharp-shooting Zala Friskovec and powerhouse Eva Lisec to get them to the Quarter-Finals will be immense. Even neutrals are biting their nails since everyone wants host nations to soar.

9. Israel   

Qualifiers Record: 2-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 49th

The other co-hosts might flirt with a Quarter-Finals place and could be a surprise package after they managed to naturalize the all-action Jennie Simms who tore it up in EuroCup Women last season with some sensational displays. Meanwhile Alyssa Baron is able to change the momentum of games and with Alexandra Cohen in the paint, they have the foundation to go beyond the Group Phase and it might be closer than we all think. Home support will be vital in Tel Aviv and could be a difference-maker in a tough looking group.

 
Since qualifying, Germany have appointed former Canada head coach Lisa Thomaidis

10. Germany   

Qualifiers Record: 4-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 36th

Wow. What a few months and we're all sitting up and taking notice Germany - we'll give you that! They had work to do heading into that last qualifying window, but got it done. They have since brought in former Canada head coach Lisa Thomaidis, been announced as the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 hosts and are now preparing for their first Women's EuroBasket in 12 years. It's all happening and with Leonie Fiebich and Marie Guelich they have every reason to feel they could get out of the group, but it will be tight. 

11. Great Britain  

Qualifiers Record: 3-3
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 20th

The Brits must have thought they'd blown their chances, but amazingly sneaked in. Nobody knows what will happen next, so expect the unexpected. Remember, this is a nation who looked like missing out, but didn't. A country that did miss the 2021 edition but even that came just two years after a surprise and historic run to the Semi-Finals. Maybe coach Chema Buceta doesn't even know what will happen. So we'll pitch them in the middle of the rankings - for now. All eyes on Temi Fagbenle and her recovery form a hand injury.

12. Hungary   

Qualifiers Record: 4-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 24th

With superb center Bernadett Hatar back on board and operating with Cyesha Goree, Hungary have a viable twin towers option or at least one of the best five spot rotations in the tournament . Virag Kiss is also a power in the paint and has been excellent this past club season. With Reka Lelik on the wing and Agnes Studer calling the plays, there are plenty of positives. The note of caution is that Hungary beat Romana and Iceland to punch their Women's EuroBasket ticket, so it's been a while since they actually beat a prominent opponent.

13. Czech Republic   

Qualifiers Record: 4-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 23rd

This ranking might be a little generous. In fact it probably is. Maybe the head was swayed by an unbeaten campaign, but dig a little deeper and the reality check is that this was against Ireland and the Netherlands. They didn't make it out of the group stage two years ago and right now, a repeat looks likely. There are concerns around their marquee player Julia Reisingerova who has been told to rest for a while, while they don't have a playmaker who regularly excels at the top level and this is an issue they might be able to solve. 

 Greece are looking to improve on their 16th place finish at the last edition in 2021  

14. Greece  

Qualifiers Record: 5-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 17th

Having taken last spot two years ago in Valencia, Greece will target an improvement, but is a small one all it can be? One thing is guaranteed and that's frontcourt duo Maria Faoula and Artemis Spanou delivering like always. Less certain is what is going to happen in the backcourt. At least Eleanna Christinaki is back on the wings having missed out at the last edition due to an injury. They surprised when written off in 2017 and rode their way to the Semi-Finals, but that was with 2009 MVP and legend Evina Maltsi in the team.

15. Montenegro   

Qualifiers Record: 3-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 21st

We know. You might expect to see Montenegro moving up soon after announcing their squad with two choices of naturalized players in Natasha Mack and Taya Reimer. But when that decision is locked in, we can then potentially factor in a more generous ranking. After all, Montenegro did qualify by beating the not so big basketball giants of Austria and Denmark, even losing to the latter. That must be priced into the equation. But with Jelena Dubljevic, Milica Jovanovic and Mack or Reimer, it could be looking better very soon.

16. Slovakia   

Qualifiers Record: 4-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 22nd

It's to their credit that Slovakia are back at Final Round as they don't have the depth compared to most of their peers in this tournament. They qualified by beating Switzerland and Luxembourg twice each, so call us harsh, but it wasn't the bumpiest of paths. Still, they did it, so respect for that. But they will have to overperform like they did in 2017 to make it past the Group Phase. We know about the qualities of Barbora Wrzesinski, Miroslava Mistinova and Sabina Oroszova, but they will need an extraordinary team effort.

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