MUNICH (Germany) – The curtain will soon rise on the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers and so now is the perfect time to benefit from the knowledge of our panel of basketball experts and find out how things could unfold .
We take a look at which nations are most likely to punch their ticket with an impeccable record, which ones could falter and miss out entirely, plus which players you should put on your watchlist.
Azania Stewart is a former British player who participated in several editions of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket. as well as the Olympic Games for his country.
Anaïs Lopez is a publicist, journalist and social media manager with almost 19,000 followers on X.
Marco Crespi is an experienced Italian player who coached during the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket with her home country and Sweden.
Paul Nilsen is FIBA’s specialist for women’s basketball globally.
1. Which nation is most likely to remain undefeated in the qualifiers and why?
This is a clear picture of our panel for Spain, the 2023 finalists.
Azania: I think Spain or Belgium are the two teams that could go undefeated and, between the two, I would say that Spain are the most likely to come out of their group undefeated. They have a core group of women who have been building together for a while now. Additionally, Astou Ndour could potentially be back for the second window after giving birth to her baby.
Anaïs: Spain. The finalists of the last edition arrive with some of their most in-form stars: Raquel Carrera, Maite Cazorla and Maria Conde will be a nightmare for Croatia and Austria. In addition, the bench is deep and perfectly combines experience and youth.
Mark: Spain, Türkiye and Italy. For different reasons. Turkey and Italy will be determined after some negative results at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023. Spain because their opponents in the group have a lower level and a bit of revenge is also on the agenda of Spain, so I will support them.
Paul: For many different reasons, you have to think that it would be a major surprise if Spain lost to the Netherlands, Croatia or Austria and only a 6-0 record can be considered if they are locked and loaded as usual. The other teams in this group will have to do everything to beat the 2023 finalists, which is also another factor. Spain could have been crowned champions and could still blame themselves for letting a golden opportunity slip through their fingers. The path to redemption begins here.
2. Which nation that participated in the 2023 edition is most likely to miss out this time and why?
Slovenia and Israel, co-organizers of the 2023 edition, could struggle to qualify for the 2025 edition.
Azania: After a great effort at FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 as a great host, I think Israel is a little too young and doesn’t have enough top-level talent to compete with teams like France and the Latvia in Group E. I think they will fight against Ireland. for third place in the ranking.
Anaïs: I’m thinking of Israel because it’s difficult to qualify when you’re in the same group with France and Latvia. I don’t see them leaving group E.
Mark: I prefer to value the vision of a program, so I would like to see a federation really plan something over the next few windows. If some federations are considering rebuilding their squad, I don’t think it’s a matter of missing out, but rather building something for a longer term future. But if I have to choose someone, maybe it will be Israel.
Paul: I fear a little for Slovenia, who have many rising stars in the pipeline, but these young talents lost their phenomenal leader, Teja Oblak, to injury. The ZVVZ USK Praha playmaker will miss this important first window. A team already thin in terms of depth, as we saw when hosting FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023, will immediately be under pressure against group favorite Hungary. Slovenia could still do it and the last window is still 16 months away, but it doesn’t seem easy at all.
3. Which nation that failed to participate in the 2023 edition is most likely to qualify this time and why?
Could Estonia, outsider, cause a sensation by winning its heir ticket?
Azania: I think Estonia could be a team capable of qualifying. Because it is a nation that is getting better and better. Their federation also has big aspirations for them and we see that their dedication is starting to pay off. Estonia is a promising team that people should keep an eye on.
Anaïs: Lithuania, as I think, is now a stronger team and their players are incredibly talented. This will have a positive influence if Juste Jocyte can finally play again.
Mark: Sweden with Frida Eldenbrink, but I would also like to add Sweden with Emma Johansson. Not only to highlight the same topic regarding vision, but also to address the necessary combination between the games and the NCAA schedule.
Paul: Sweden could be back, although that might be a backhanded compliment as it’s more about the group than anything special about the yellows and blues. They will face Great Britain who could be favorites, as well as Estonia boosted by a new naturalized player, as well as a dangerous Denmark. It could be a complicated group, but Sweden has a good chance of returning to victory and qualifying. Even if the serious injury to veteran Elin Eldebrink is a real blow.
4. Which player are you most excited to see and why?
Is there anyone who doesn’t love watching FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 MVP Emma Meesseman play?
Azania: My favorite player and the one I look forward to watching the most is Emma Meesseman. I think his skills and professionalism are elite. You can see that her teammates love her on and off the court and that she is the face of women’s basketball across Europe.
Anaïs: Without a doubt, Satou Sabally from Germany. She’s an incredible player and I’m so excited to see her in a national team jersey.
Mark: Cécilia Zandalasini. She is special. She needs and deserves to be the most effective player in every game. Every game. She can do it.
Paul: Even though it seems like a copy and paste, it’s an episode worth repeating. Alina Iagupova pushes Ukraine in every game, is in charge and often has to produce something special for her country to be victorious, which means the highlights are stuffed and the numbers she puts up can be mind-boggling. It’s never boring with her in a Ukrainian vest and maybe they can be the team (instead of my choice, Sweden) to book a return. If they did, it would somehow mean missing the last two editions in 2019 and 2021.
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