MIES (Switzerland) - A new competition cycle has started, with 32 teams fighting for their place at the FIBA EuroBasket 2021. We are here to check up on their current form with our usual Power Rankings.

With all 32 teams in action this week, it seems like a good time to remind you about the competition system. There are eight groups of four teams, and the three highest-placed teams from each group, except the groups which include the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 hosts, will qualify for the FIBA EuroBasket 2021. For the groups containing Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany and Italy, the host and the two other highest placed teams will qualify for the FIBA EuroBasket 2021.

The FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers will be played across three windows on February 17-25, 2020, November 23 - December 1, 2020 and February 15-23, 2021 with two games played by each team in every window.

#1 Spain

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 2nd;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: 3rd Place

Current FIBA Basketball World Cup title holders had a summer to remember. Across all men's competitions, starting from U16s through U18s and U20s all the way to the global summit in China, Spain have won all but one game! Sergio Scariolo rounded up a younger squad than usual for the start of a new winning run, but it's hard to expect anything less than 2-0 at the end of February for these guys.

#2 France

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 5th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16

If you've seen anything from the Leaders Cup that went on last week in France, you've seen madness and passion. JDA Dijon's Axel Julien and Alexandre Chassang will try and carry that euphoria over to the national team now, to make this a February to remember for the rest of their lives, but they have a tough task ahead, since Germany await in Vechta on Friday.

#3 Serbia

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: 2nd Place

Two words for you: Milos Teodosic. Serbia's point guard is enjoying a renaissance with Virtus Bologna in Italy, and could make his return to the national team in this window. Also, Igor Kokoskov is the new man at the helm, the man who won the last edition of the event by beating Serbia in the Final. Kokoskov will try and win back-to-back titles with different teams - nobody has ever won two straight FIBA EuroBasket golds with two different teams.

#4 Lithuania

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 8th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16

Lithuania were on cruise control for most of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers, both in the First Round and in the Second Round, so it's hard to see them slipping up one of these days. Because a squad with Mantas Kalnietis, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Jonas Maciulis and all the others has more than enough experience to start this mandate with a win or two.

#5 Germany

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 18th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Quarter-Finals

Only Maik Zirbes (30) and Robin Benzing (31) can be considered as "older" players on this roster. Germany are going for youth, so much so that 19-year-old Joshua Obiesie is also a part of the squad, and a 21-year-old Louis Olinde feels like one of the more experienced guys here. Looking into the future, we like this.

#6 Italy

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 12th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Quarter-Finals

When you take a look at the lineup Italy have got in store for their first two games, you shouldn't be afraid. Which is exactly why you should be afraid, since Meo Sacchetti has a habit of getting 100+ points out of teams with no superstars on board. Schedule works in Italy's favor, they are playing against Russia in Naples, before flying to Estonia - 2-0 is a possibility here.

#7 Russia

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 9th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: 4th Place

Okay, even if they drop their game away in Italy, Russia will still feel confident when they play host to North Macedonia three days later. Especially because Perm will be their home venue, and just go ahead and ask Bosnia and Herzegovina or Finland what it's like to play there. Hint: -32 combined in those two games.

#8 Czech Republic

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 10th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase

ERA Nymburk went 12-2 in the Regular Season of the Basketball Champions League, making them the only team with 12 wins this season. And you know that a lot of the same guys will be back together in a different shirt this week, so look for confidence when they take the court against Denmark and Lithuania.

#9 Turkey

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 15th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16

Still waiting for Shane Larkin to make his national team debut. With him on board, Turkey could be a top 5 team, but that doesn't mean they are powerless without him. In fact, they will be back in Ankara again, and they were perfect in all of their games there during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers.

#10 Greece

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 7th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Quarter-Finals

Guess the fact they have all their Antetokounmpo brothers made Greece used to being tall. Because they are back with a lot of length again, even without the bros, and the shortest player on the team is standing tall at 6ft 4in (1.94m)  in this list. Being tall helps when you play basketball. It's true.

#11 Latvia

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 28th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Quarter-Finals

At home against Bosnia and Herzegovina, away at Bulgaria. Seems like a good kind of schedule, and everybody is excited to see what can the youngsters Arturs and Arturs can do on a bigger stage. Talking about Zagars and Kurucs, of course. And just imagine them teaming up with all the other big Latvian names in a big event soon...

#12 Croatia

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 14th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16

Hungry. That's the word you are looking for, after Croatia blew multiple match-points in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers and before they host one of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments over the summer. Hungry for big events, hungry for another shot to end the 25-year-long medal drought.

#13 Montenegro

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 26th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16

First games are always the awkward ones. But Montenegro have a shot of steering their ship towards the Final Round already on Gameday 1, because they will host Great Britain in Podgorica. With France and Germany looking like the group favorites, a big win there would be a big leap towards the Final Round. Yes, already on Gameday 1.

#14 Slovenia

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 16th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: 1st Place

Basketball is easy when you've got a guy named Jordan playing. In fact, it's Jordan Morgan. Pinar Karsiyaka's big guy is not a complete stranger to Slovenian fans, they found out a thing or two about his strength while he was wearing Olimpija's shirt two seasons ago. Morgan fits = Slovenia wins. Simple as that.

#15 Poland

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 13th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase

The mission for Poland is quite simple here. Just feed off of the energy and poise you had in China. It's as easy as that. Don't overthink anything, just enjoy yourself and imagine you're in Beijing or Foshan or Shanghai again.

#16 Israel

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 42nd;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase

Deni Avdija, Tamir Blatt, TJ Cline, Yam Madar, Gal Mekel, Joe Alexander, Jake Cohen... feat. coach Oded Kattache? Man, Israel could be the most fun offensive team of the Qualifiers. Feels like they are going to be featured in the top plays very often during this competition.

#17 Belgium

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 39th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase

Two Dario Gjergja trademarks that you'll see during these Qualifiers: (1) young players like Vrenz Bleijenbergh or Haris Bratanovic will get a chance to show what they are made of, and (2) team spirit will go all around the locker room, with nobody averaging 20 points per game, but five players averaging somewhere between 8 and 12 points a game.

#18 Georgia

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 36th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase

Giorgi Shermadini is playing. That's all you need to know. If he's the reason why Iberostar Tenerife are so successful in the Basketball Champions League and the Liga Endesa, he could be the reason why Georgia are a tough team to beat, even if you are Serbia in Belgrade on Sunday.

#19 Hungary

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 40th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16

We'll be watching Hungary v Slovenia in Szombathely on Thursday. Because we know that the best part is coming after the game, when the players hug together in front of the crowd and sing the national anthem, top of their lungs. It's one of the best memories of their entire FIBA EuroBasket 2017 run.

#20 Finland

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 34th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16

Bad news for Finland? They have to face Serbia on the very first day of these Qualifiers. Good news for Finland? Petteri Koponen, Shawn Huff, Tuukka Kotti, Mikko Koivisto all know how to beat Serbia, they've done it in the FIBA EuroBasket 2009 Qualifiers, 80-77 in Vantaa in 2008. Oh, and assistant coach Hanno Mottola was also there.

#21 Netherlands

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 44th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify

Turkey in Ankara, followed by Croatia in Almere Stad. Netherlands could be at 2-0, 1-1 or 0-2, it's really impossible to tell because we haven't seen them in action with new coach Maurizio Buscaglia yet. Oh, and Keye van der Vuurst de Vries is on the roster, Filou Oostende's boy wonder, who turned 18 just a couple of months ago.

#22 Sweden

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 56th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify

Croatia in Zagreb, followed by Turkey in Stockholm. Sweden's schedule is just as tough as the one for Oranje above them here, but that's also a chance to create an upset or two by taking down the teams ranked higher than them. No, not in the Power Rankings. Ranked higher in the FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike, a bit more relevant list than this one.

#23 Ukraine

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 29th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16

Ainars Bagatskis is on the bench here, and that could be the biggest asset for Ukraine. They need to take Austria seriously to start the campaign, and with a game at home against Hungary coming up, Ukraine could end up being 2-0 at the end of February. But, if they relax for just a moment in Graz, they could find themselves knocked down to 0-2.

#24 Bosnia and Herzegovina

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 45th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify

It's a new beginning for BiH and coach Vedran Bosnic, who called up a lot of new faces, like Sani Campara who is just 20, Kenan Kamenjas, also 20, and a number of players who are still under 25. Keep an eye on Miralem Halilovic, French Jeep Elite League top scorer, second in the run for the MVP of the Season award, Bosnia and Herzegovina will turn to him to find a win against Latvia and/or Greece.

#25 Bulgaria

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 51st;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify

Greece away and Latvia at home - doesn't sound easy, even with all their good form in Botevgrad over the course of years. But the best part of Bulgaria's schedule is the map. Greece is just around the corner, and they are staying at home for the Latvia battle. Freshness could lead them to a win in one of those two.

#26 Estonia

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 49th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify

Let's assume Italy and Russia are too strong in this group. That means North Macedonia v Estonia in Skopje on Thursday could be the do-or-die game of the entire group...and it's the first one to be played here!

#27 Denmark

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 59th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify

People who haven't followed the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers: "What, Denmark!? Really?"
People who have followed the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers: "This team is getting to the Final Round. Gabriel Lundberg will be the top scorer of the Qualifiers." The truth is somewhere in between those two polarizing feelings.

#28 Great Britain

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 41st;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase

It's a horrible schedule for Team GB, that's all. Because playing away at Montenegro on the very first game, that could end up being the reason why they did not make or why they made the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Final Round. And playing on the road in Podgorica is not as fun when you're on the "visitors" side of the scoreboard.

#29 North Macedonia

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 53rd;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify

Just read the Estonia part once more.

#30 Switzerland

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 63rd;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify

Stuff from 1955: Cost of a new house was just over 10k dollars. Rent was less than 100 dollars. You could get a new car for less than two thousand dollars. The Mickey Mouse Club started airing on TV. Oh, and Switzerland played the FIBA EuroBasket main event for the last time. A lot of time passed since 1955...

#31 Romania

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 54th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase

Playing at home against the World Champions...then flying over to Tel Aviv and the crazy Shlomo Group Arena, Romania have got a mountain to climb.

#32 Austria

FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 57th;
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify

Somebody has to be dead last. Sorry, Austria. Nothing personal. Maybe you can make it through if Sylven Landesberg shows up and puts up another 47 game like he did against Great Britain in the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifers.

*The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking systems. All comments are purely those of the author.