MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers resume later this month as First Round action reaches its conclusion.

There's still so much to play for in the third window and we take a look into the unknown to break down what's in store, with one question for each team ahead of the third window:

Group A

Serbia 

Will Serbia avenge their loss to Belgium?

Serbia did what they needed to do in the second window with back-to-back wins over Slovakia to advance to the Second Round. However, they face a repeat showdown with Belgium after their surprise loss in Mons back in November and will be keen to atone for the defeat. They first face Latvia on the road in an important game in the battle for top spot.

Latvia 

Can Latvia claim top spot in the group?

Three straight wins for Latvia since their agonizing opening defeat to Serbia in Belgrade. They face the crucial reverse fixture in Riga with the victor cementing top spot in Group A as well as taking a vital victory through to the Second Round. Latvia will expect an even tougher contest, but will have their own strengthened squad at their disposal.

Belgium 

Will Belgium be able to get back on track?

After a perfect 2-0 start, Belgium dropped to 2-2 with successive losses to Latvia in the last window, though they will still be expected to make it through to the next phase. They will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Slovakia in Mons - the scene of their memorable earlier triumph over Serbia, who they will face on Gameday 6 to round out the Firt Round.

Slovakia 

Is there any hope left for Slovakia?

Slovakia have it all to day heading into the third and final window as they enter without a win from their four games so far. Not only do they have to beat Belgium on the road, but having lost the previous encounter by 26 points, they need to do so in emphatic fashion in order to claim the all-important head-to-head. If not, they will bow out before their final game with Latvia.

Group B

Greece 

Can Greece maintain their momentum from the second window?

After losing to Great Britain in the first window, there were doubts about Greece heading into a crucial double-header with Turkey. However, they stepped up when it mattered with two vital wins to take control of the group. Greece can secure top spot if they defeat GB on home soil and a 3-1 record would be a handy start to their Second Round venture.

Turkey 

Is this a must-win game for Turkey?

Back-to-back losses to Greece in February have left Turkey on the back foot in their pursuit of a place at the World Cup. They are assured of a place in the Second Round, but do not want to be starting with a 1-3 record, which makes their final game against Great Britain even more important as the result carries through. Turkey impressed in the last meeting, however, and have assembled a strong looking initial squad.

Great Britain 

Can GB pull out a surprise result on the road?

Great Britain have not been in action since splitting games with Greece and Turkey in the opening window. A similar return would be favorable against strong opposition, as GB have made themselves at home in Newcastle with impressive results in recent times. Doing so on the road is an altogether different challenge and a visit to Greece is a challenging prospect.

Group C

Finland 

Can Markkanen help finish the job and see Finland top the group?

Finland moved to the top of the group standings with a double-winning window against Slovenia last time out with Lauri Markkanen now back in the mix. The inclusion of the Cleveland Cavaliers forward would be a major boost with Finland looking to wrap up top spot with victory over Sweden on Gameday 5 before closing out against Croatia on the road.

Slovenia 

Can Dragic and Doncic rekindle their dynamic partnership?

Goran Dragic and Luka Doncic back on the same team for the first time since helping Slovenia win FIBA EuroBasket 2017. The MVP Dragic has not been in an international jersey since, while Doncic has taken his superstar status to new levels, so the reunion of their backcourt partnership will be highly anticipated as Slovenia look to book their place in the Second Round.

Sweden 

Will head-to-head count against Sweden?

In a close group, there are fine margins. Sweden have to at least match Croatia's results from the final window as they both take on Slovenia and Finland. As a result of their seven-point defeat last time out, they do not hold the head-to-head tiebreak with Croatia and that could prove to be the difference. Sweden will know they still control their fate, but anything can happen.

Croatia 

Was Croatia's first win the spark to complete the turnaround?

Croatia were on the ropes before giving themselves a lifeline with a dramatic overtime triumph on the road against Sweden. They took the head-to-head tiebreak and while their outlook appears brighter, they are still in must-win territory as they attempt to leapfrog one of the sides above them in the standings. A trip to Ljubljana won't be easy and a home encounter with Finland could be the last chance saloon.

Group D

Germany 

Can Germany continue their winning run?

Not long ago, we were reflecting upon Germany's poor record in Qualifiers. But now, they seem to have found a winning formula with back-to-back victories over Israel propelling them to the top of the Group D standings. They visit Estonia with the chance to continue their winning before finishing up at home as they welcome Poland on Gameday 6.

Israel 

Will Israel be looking over their shoulder in the final window?

Israel have been pegged back by successive defeats to Germany in the last window and they sit in a precarious position at 2-2. Their trip to Poland has huge ramifications for the outcome of the group with a loss putting Israel in danger of a First Round exit. They do have the comfort of home soil in their final game and while they are far from same, they will be confident of repeating the November window when they started with two wins.

Estonia 

Have Estonia already done enough to make it through?

Estonia hold the head-to-head tiebreak with Poland after they split their double-header in February. That alleviates some pressure, but while the onus is on Poland to pick up at least another win, Estonia won't be banking on results going their way. They host an in-form Germany side on Gameday 5 and could either be celebrating going through or be looking at a must-win encounter on the road in their final game.

Poland 

Have Poland got what it takes to make it through?

Poland had to grind out a two-point win against Estonia in Lublin to avoid a 0-4 start in the group as they stay alive in the battle to make it to the Second Round. It's been a rocky start with Igor Milicic at the helm, but the upcoming window could provide the perfect platform to pull things together from what is a talented group. They host Israel knowing a win could change the dimensions of the group.

Group E

France 

Will France finish with a flourish?

It's all been rather straightforward for France so far as they eased into the Second Round with two games to spare. The 2019 bronze medalists have added more quality to their roster for the final window as they take on their nearest challengers in Montenegro and Hungary. France are one of three unbeaten sides remaining in the First Round and will be strong favorites to take all six wins through to the next phase.

Montenegro 

Is a 3-3 record inevitable for Montenegro?

Lose to France, beat Portugal? The group seems to be following a pattern so far, but Montenegro only lost by six points on the road against France. They will be looking for a different result in Podgorica to halt the French momentum, but must also ensure they do not lose focus on the road themselves when they face Portugal having been tested in the last encounter.

Hungary 

Is a 3-3 record inevitable for Hungary?

Beat Portugal, lose to France? Hungary moved on the verge of qualification with a win on the road last time out and they will be keen to avoid any potential last day drama by beating Portugal on Gameday 5. The biggest test in the group follows with a trip to France and they will look to bridge the gap, especially with all results being carried through to the Second Round.

Portugal 

Can Portugal pull off the great escape?

Portugal will have taken encouragement from their performance at home against France last time out and they would love to break their win drought in the final window. They remain in contention of making it through to the Second Round, but require two wins over Hungary and Montenegro, whilst also factoring in potential head-to-head equations in two, or even three-way ties.

Group F

Lithuania 

Can Lithuania ensure they avoid complacency?

Lithuania wrapped up their place in the next phase by improving to 4-0 with two wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina in February. They have a chance to complete a perfect First Round campaign, but must be wary of losing focus as all results count towards the Second Round and defeats could prove costly in the long run. Lithuania first travel to face Bulgaria before hosting Czech Republic in their final game.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Will the introduction of Garza give Bosnia and Herzegovina a new dimension?

There's a new name amongst the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad for the upcoming window with Luka Garza included. The Detroit Pistons center would provide a notable presence in the paint for Bosnia as they load up on talent ahead of a busy summer. Defeats to Lithuania pushed them back to 2-2 in the group with their place in the Second Round still not confirmed, so they will hope the addition of Garza can spark a strong finish.

Bulgaria 

Can Bulgaria raise their game against the group's top two?

Bulgaria boosted their chances of making it through to the Second Round after they edged Czech Republic in their double header back in February - with a nine-point home win proving crucial in the head-to-head. While they hold the advantage, they cannot take anything for granted and face a tough third window if they are in need of a result as they host unbeaten Lithuania before a tough encounter on the road in Sarajevo.

Czech Republic 

Would one win be enough for Czech Republic?

Czech Republic claimed their first win of the campaign last time out as they bounced back from a third successive loss to beat Bulgaria on home soil. The margin was not enough to take the head-to-head tiebreaker, though, so they have to win at least one of their two remaining games. They will be targeting their home game against Bosnia and Herzegovina as a must-win clash in Klapieda against Lithuania would be no easy feat by any means.

Group G

Georgia 

Can Georgia stay unbeaten on home soil through the First Round?

Georgia have won both home games in Tbilisi so far and it would be a major scalp if they can finish unbeaten as Spain visit in the third window. They defeated North Macedonia twice in February to advance to the Second Round and while a win over Spain would no doubt provide plenty of confidence, it would be a huge result to take through to the next phase - particularly as only games between the top three are counted going forward.

Spain 

Can Spain be stopped from going 6-0?

Spain are halfway there towards a perfect First Round. With three wins from three, repeat results against the other three teams will see them in pole position in the Second Round. All three games so far produced double-digit margin of victories and Spain will expect to push on in the final window even with an additional game on their schedule with a trip to Tbilisi expected to be their biggest test.

Ukraine 

Will Ukraine be able to lean on their experience?

With three games still to play, Ukraine are still not assured of a place in the next round. They play two of those games in Riga, Latvia and will need the experienced members of their squad to step up as they adapt to new surroundings for the final window. Ukraine were beaten by 14 away in Spain in their last game in February and pushed Georgia close in their opening game, so they will hope for improved fortunes in the reverse fixtures in order to take something through.

North Macedonia 

North Macedonia have a mountain to climb - are they capable of doing so?

Four games, four defeats. With Spain and Georgia already out of reach, North Macedonia can only chase down Ukraine in the final window and they are an 17-point victory further down the road. The heavy defeat in the reverse fixture leaves North Macedonia needing a big win to claim the head-to-head, but they could also be eliminated before getting to that encounter on Gameday 6. It's been a tough campaign so far, and they would need a complete performance.

Group H

Italy 

Can Italy make a winning start to the new era under Pozzecco?

A new head coach, a new era for Italy as Gianmarco Pozzecco takes charge of the national team. They endured a surprise defeat to Iceland in the last window before surviving in Bologna and they complete their First Round campaign on the road against the Netherlands. Italy are already assured of their place in the Second Round, but starting 3-1 or 2-2 could make all the difference and they will be desperate to get off to a winning start under Pozzecco.

Iceland 

Will we see another huge performance from Hlinason for Iceland?

Tryggvi Hlinason produced one of the great performances in European Qualifiers history as Iceland stunned Italy in the last window. A huge showing from the seven-footer and a huge result for the national team. Iceland now have a real chance to take three wins through to the Second Round as they host the Netherlands in their final game and if Hlinason can keep producing, then their chances of success increase significantly.

Netherlands 

Can the Netherlands perform with the pressure lifted?

The Netherlands are still without a win in the Qualifiers so far, but can rest somewhat easier in the final window knowing they have a place in the Second Round. That being said, with results being carried through to the next phase, they will be keen to ensure they don't have a blank in the win column come August. After travelling to take on Iceland, they are back at home to face Italy.

FIBA