MUNICH (Germany) - The qualification cycle for FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers continues, with 32 teams fighting for their place in the Final Round.

The year of the event might now be different, the games are taking place in bubbles, but the teams are the same, and so are the Power Rankings.

With all 32 teams in action next 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 2022 hosts, will qualify for the FIBA EuroBasket 2022. 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 2022.

#1 Italy (+4)

Current Record: 3-0 (1st in Group B)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Quarter-Finals
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 12th

Window schedule: North Macedonia twice, Estonia once in Perm, Russia

Italy have been nothing but perfect so far, and they are using this last window to remain perfect in senses other than just winning three more games. They are already through to the Final Round as one of the hosts, and last three games will serves as a chance to see what youngsters like Gabriele Procida and Matteo Spagnolo are made of - it's crazy to think that two and a half years ago they were teammates at U16 level in Novi Sad, Serbia.

 

#2 France (0)

Current Record: 3-1 (1st in Group G)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th

Window schedule: Montenegro, Great Britain in Podgorica, Montenegro

France aren't through yet, but according to our calculations, they have a 70 percent chance of making their trip to the Final Round official in Montenegro. They were one of the first teams to announce the 12 names for the final window, with Thomas Heurtel being the obvious big name on the list. Keep an eye on Amath M'Baye, he's enjoying a stellar season with Pinar Karsiyaka.

#3 Israel (+8)

Current Record: 4-0 (1st in Group A)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 39th

Window schedule: Romania, Spain in Gliwice, Poland

Yes, Israel. The rise of the Israeli basketball is one of the feel-good stories over the past couple of years in Europe, not just because of their youth summer campaigns, but also because we're getting used to more and more of their clubs having success in continental events. The national team is up at 4-0, in a group with Spain and Poland, we could only reward them with a podium spot in these Power Rankings after their November sweep.

#4 Croatia (+6)

Current Record: 4-0 (1st in Group D)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 14th

Window schedule: Netherlands, Turkey in Istanbul, Turkey

It's such a relief to see Croatia make it to the Final Round without breaking a sweat. No stress at all, a comfortable 4-0 record, and Veljko Mrsic can now afford to try out some new names in the national team rotation, because Croatia are the only qualified team from Group D. Defense was their forte over the previous two windows, Netherlands and Turkey will try and break that wall in Istanbul.

#5 Greece (-4)

Current Record: 3-1 (1st in Group H)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Quarter-Finals
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 7th

Window schedule: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia in Riga, Latvia

Greece enjoyed the view from the top in the previous edition of the Power Rankings, but they did stumble for a second or two in Sarajevo in the last window. However, they booked their ticket to the main event as they climbed to 3-1. We're used to Greece having a vastly experienced team, especially when it comes to Qualifiers, but this time around coach Thanasis Skourtopoulos called up 14 guys, and 11 of them are younger than 30. Meanwhile, Vangelis Margaritis turned 38 a couple of months ago, and of course he has made himself available for another call up. Everlasting.

#6 Georgia (+6)

Current Record: 4-0 (1st in Group E)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 36th

Window schedule: Serbia, Finland in Tbilisi, Georgia

Georgia are still perfect. The only host up at 4-0. That's it, that's the entire post.

#7 Slovenia (+7)

Current Record: 3-1 (1st in Group F)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: 1st Place
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 16th

Window schedule: Hungary, Ukraine in Kiev, Ukraine

The previous window was perfect for Slovenia, so they can relax completely ahead of their trip to Ukraine. Jordan Morgan was not on the list for this bubble-ball, but guys like Jaka Blazic, Gregor Hrovat, Edo Muric, Luka Rupnik and Ziga Dimec are there, so this will still be an impressive squad. Don't be surprised if they pick up two wins - a relaxed Slovenian team is the most dangerous version of itself. 

#8 Spain (-5)

Current Record: 2-2 (3rd in Group A)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: 3rd Place
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 2nd

Window schedule: Poland, Israel in Gliwice, Poland

Okay, Spain at 2-2 is probably one of the biggest surprises of the Qualifiers so far, just because we're so used to Spain sweeping everything everywhere all the time. Sergio Scariolo created a new list, Unicaja Malaga's Jaime Fernandez is making his comeback, while three guys are set to make their debuts: Fran Guerra, Lenovo Tenerife's center who's having a career year; Miquel Salvo, Hereda San Pablo Burgos' wing who keeps on winning trophies; and Joel Parra, the 20-year-old frontcourt prospect straight out of Joventut Badalona. It's crazy how deep this squad gets. And it makes the rest of the continent envious.

#9 Serbia (-3)

Current Record: 2-2 (2nd in Group E)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: 2nd Place
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 5th

Window schedule: Georgia, Switzerland in Tbilisi, Georgia

Vasilije Micic, Ognjen Jaramaz, Aleksa Avramovic, Danilo Andjusic, Marko Guduric, Dalibor Ilic, Miroslav Raduljica, FILIP PETRUSEV!!! Oh yeah, and coach Igor Kokoskov. This sounds like a squad ready to go 2-0, especially because they lost to both Georgia and Switzerland earlier in these Qualifiers. Expect Serbia in Top 3 in the next edition of the Power Rankings. For now, they are here because they aren't qualified just yet - even though they have an 85 percent chance of doing so according to our calculations.

#10 Belgium (-1)

Current Record: 3-1 (1st in Group C)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 37th

Window schedule: Denmark, Czech Republic in Vilnius, Lithuania

Hey, just here to tell you that Retin Obasohan is on the list again. There's a reason why he's really high up in the MVP Race in the Basketball Champions League.

 

#11 Bosnia and Herzegovina (+14)

Current Record: 3-1 (2nd in Group H)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 45th

Window schedule: Greece, Bulgaria in Riga, Latvia

They were probably the second biggest positive surprise of the November bubble, so they deserve a 14-place raise here. Svaka čast.

#12 Denmark (+20)

Current Record: 2-2 (2nd in Group C)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 56th

Window schedule: Belgium, Lithuania in Vilnius, Lithuania

They were probably the biggest positive surprise of the November bubble, so they deserve a 20-place raise here. The only reason why they aren't a Top 10 team is that they still have to pull an upset or two in the last window to make it through. Yes, that would mean beating Lithuania twice in Lithuania in a matter of months. Yes, that would indeed be unbelievable.

#13 Russia (0)

Current Record: 2-2 (2nd in Group B)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: 4th Place
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 9th

Window schedule: North Macedonia, Estonia in Perm, Russia

This should be a walk in the park for Russia, right? They are playing host to North Macedonia and Estonia in Perm. Should be smooth sailing, right? Right. No alarms and no surprises, please.

#14 Hungary (+2)

Current Record: 2-0 (3rd in Group F)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 40th

Window schedule: Slovenia once, Austria twice, Ukraine once in Kiev, Ukraine

I really have no idea what to write about Hungary, since they missed the bubble in Ljubljana due to positive tests in their delegation. They will play four games in Kiev, as long as they don't go 0-4, they will be at the main event. Then again, this team hasn't been in action since February 23, 2020. Almost a year. Look at the photo, you'll notice the difference in the background.

#15 Ukraine (+7)

Current Record: 2-2 (2nd in Group F)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 29th

Window schedule: Slovenia, Hungary in Kiev, Ukraine

While 2-2 isn't the most impressive record out there, Ukraine are up seven places compared to the last Power Rankings, because they did what they had to do, swept Austria, made sure they can't finish bottom of the group after a pair of games in their backyard in February.

#16 Lithuania (-12)

Current Record: 2-2 (3rd in Group C)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 8th

Window schedule: Czech Republic, Denmark in Vilnius, Lithuania

Let's not talk about the possibility of Lithuania not reaching the Final Round.

#17 Poland (-2)

Current Record: 2-2 (2nd in Group A)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 13th

Window schedule: Spain, Romania in Gliwice, Poland

Even if they go 0-2 at home, they could still be above Romania, as long as Romania lose to Israel next Friday. But if they go 0-2 at home, we'll move them back a place or two (or ten) in the next edition of the Power Rankings. Meanwhile, 2-0 would send them to Top 10.

#18 Montenegro (+2)

Current Record: 2-2 (3rd in Group G)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 26th

Window schedule: France, Germany in Podgorica, Montenegro

Montenegro haven't qualified yet...and they have games against France and Germany coming up. Feelings summed up in a gif:

#19 Great Britain (+2)

Current Record: 2-2 (2nd in Group G)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 42nd

Window schedule: Germany, France in Podgorica, Montenegro

Great Britain haven't qualified yet...and they have games against Germany and France coming up. Feelings summed up in a gif:

#20 Netherlands (+3)

Current Record: 2-2 (2nd in Group D)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 44th

Window schedule: Croatia, Sweden in Istanbul, Turkey

Maurizio Buscaglia's squad is still in a good place - up at 2-2, with the tiebreaker over Turkey, trying to avoid a 3+ point defeat to Sweden now. Then again, a pair of wins could send them top of the group, which would be so sweet against perennial juggernauts like Croatia and Turkey. The usual suspects are all there, Charlon Kloof, Yannick Franke, Thomas van der Mars, Jito Kok, Worthy De Jong and Keye van der Vuurst.

#21 Turkey (-3)

Current Record: 1-3 (4th in Group D)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 15th

Window schedule: Sweden, Croatia in Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey are hosting their second straight bubble, that's how serious they are about the possibility of not making it through to the FIBA EuroBasket. It would be the biggest upset, no doubt about it, if both Sweden and the Netherlands finish ahead of Shane Larkin feat. Alperen Sengun powered Turkey. One of the biggest of all time.

#22 Sweden (+2)

Current Record: 1-3 (3rd in Group D)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 55th

Window schedule: Turkey, Netherlands in Istanbul, Turkey

Jonas Jerebko is back!

 

#23 Latvia (+4)

Current Record: 1-3 (4th in Group H)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Quarter-Finals
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 27th

Window schedule: Bulgaria, Greece in Riga, Latvia

All you need is a seven-point win over Bulgaria. That's it. In fact, any win over Bulgaria would do, as long as Bulgaria lose to Bosnia and Herzegovina on the last Game day.

#24 Switzerland (+4)

Current Record: 1-3 (4th in Group E)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 61st

Window schedule: Finland, Serbia in Tbilisi, Georgia

All the Mladjan heroics weren't enough to move Switzerland upwards in Group E. Finland own a five-point advantage from the first matchup, they are playing on Friday in a do-or-die game for Switzerland. The first fixture showed they are capable of upsetting Finland, but they just need to stretch their good runs to all 40 minutes of action.

#25 Germany (-18)

Current Record: 1-3 (4th in Group G)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Quarter-Finals
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 17th

Window schedule: Great Britain, Montenegro in Podgorica, Montenegro

Let's blame the 1-3 record on the fact that Germany are already qualified as hosts.

#26 Czech Republic (-18)

Current Record: 1-3 (4th in Group C)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 11th

Window schedule: Lithuania, Belgium in Vilnius, Lithuania

Let's blame the 1-3 record on the fact that Czech Republic are already qualified as hosts.

#27 Finland (-10)

Current Record: 1-3 (3rd in Group E)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Round of 16
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 34th

Window schedule: Switzerland, Georgia in Tbilisi, Georgia

Ten-place drop probably isn't fair, because Finland still have their destiny in their own hands. But still, being a host of a bubble, and losing both of their games in Espoo in November... There was only going to be one way for Finland in the Power Rankings after that. 

#28 Estonia (-9)

Current Record: 1-2 (3rd in Group B)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 50th

Window schedule: Italy, Russia, North Macedonia in Perm, Russia

First game v North Macedonia: +9. With North Macedonia facing a troubling four-game window, Estonia's freshness could be crucial on the last day of action in Perm. Oh, and they need to stay out of that trap of defending an aggregate lead. Just focus on yourself, win that one (or any other), and we'll see you back at the FIBA EuroBasket. So simple.

#29 Bulgaria (-3)

Current Record: 1-3 (3rd in Group H)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 49th

Window schedule: Latvia, Bosnia and Herzegovina in Riga, Latvia

A win over Latvia would mean it's all over and Bulgaria are through. They dropped so far in the Power Rankings because that's what happens when you lose one of the games 88-49 in November.  

#30 North Macedonia (-1)

Current Record: 0-2 (4th in Group B)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 53rd

Window schedule: Italy, Russia, Italy, Estonia in Perm, Russia

Sure, you can consider North Macedonia a team that's still without a win. But rescheduling means they could - get this - still finish top of the group if they win all four of their remaining games. Basketball is weird like that sometimes...

#31 Austria (-1)

Current Record: 0-4 (4th in Group F)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Did not qualify
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 57th

Window schedule: Hungary twice in Kiev, Ukraine

Two wins over Hungary would keep them alive. But even then, Hungary would still have to lose to Slovenia and Ukraine for Austria to complete the upset and advance. But hey, at least they get to enjoy another run with Rasid Mahalbasic, who is 30 and playing the best basketball of his career. Trust me, if you like smart big guys who can pass the ball, Rasid is the player to watch.

#32 Romania (-1)

Current Record: 0-4 (4th in Group A)
FIBA EuroBasket 2017: Group Phase
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 54th

Window schedule: Israel, Poland in Gliwice, Poland

It was always going to be an uphill battle for Romania when they saw this draw. They got the world champs, plus a team that reached the Quarter-Finals in China in 2019, too. And on top of that, they had to witness Israel's rapid rise from the front row. If they go 2-0 while beating Poland by 31, and Poland also losing to Spain, they will advance. But it's hard to see it happening, right? Right.

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