NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen's Women's Basketball Worldwide) - I would be staggered if any other team than Spain, France or Serbia won EuroBasket Women 2015.

Most observers seem to think it is a two-horse race between 2013 finalists France and reigning champions Spain, and of those who concur is the excellent lovewomensbasketball which recently returned to the internet after what proved a painful hiatus for those fans of the site like myself.

They have produced their own predictions and assessment which makes for fascinating reading.

I think Spain are favourites and rightly so. They are athletic, quick and play the kind of attractive and dynamic basketball that every fans wants to see - thanks to 'The Alchemist' Lucas Mondelo.

Although, at the time of writing, there seems to be some lingering doubts over the participation of 2013 MVP Sancho Lyttle and if she was absent, it would hurt them defensively in a big way. If she plays, they will probably win the competition. If not, a lack of experience in that power forward spot means they are vulnerable.

Astou Ndour is an incredible young player and has been tearing it up in friendlies, but doing it in the vacated naturalised spot against some of the best in Europe and on the biggest stage is a different gravy altogether.

Spain also have Laia Palau playing in her farewell Final Round and she makes it almost impossible to discount them, since she controls the tempo so masterfully and drives the team forward with her impeccable leadership.

Alba Torrens is the MVP in waiting and you could canvass confidently that she could yet become the best player in the world. At the very least, she is surely the best player outside of the States and in the conversation for being the very best (this is one for another day and without WNBA court time, I know such a notion will be viewed as flawed by some).

France are the polar opposite in style - or at least for most of the time. They play a conservative game built on solid defense. Yet it gets results and they do have a good coach and world class players in the likes of Sandrine Gruda and Celine Dumerc. The return of Isabelle Yacoubou is essential and they have the best frontcourt rotation in Gruda, Yacoubou, Endene Miyem, Helena Ciak and Ana Cata-Chitiga.

The question mark over France remains unanswered. Who is going to do the business on the wings? Perhaps they have unearthed a gem in potential debutante Sarah Michel and she may be the 'X-Factor' they need - or Valeriane Ayayi might make up for her absence in Turkey.

There is also the alluring possibility of the electrifying Olivia Epoupa making a debut - although the irony is, one of them is probably going to miss out. What is important is that Epoupa and Michel for example, give Coach Garnier a couple of ‘wild cards’ and the chance to be a little more daring at times - although I’m not sure the ethos would change.

Serbia are the most capable of beating France and Spain out of everybody else.

Their biggest issue will be finding the consistency they need in the first two phases. Bizarrely, I wouldn't be stunned if they did flop in a Quarter-Final for example, since they can blow hot and cold.

I just feel that they are best equipped to challenge and unlike Turkey for example (who should still be in Rio mix), they have masses of firepower all over the floor.

Serbia have newfound experience of the biggest stage, reaching the last four and making history at Final Round two years ago, plus their maiden appearance at the FIBA Women's World Championship when they could and should have made the last four.

I am backing them to continue their history-making run by getting a medal this time around - although I hope I don't give them the kiss of death.

They have the starters, decent depth now coming off the bench, clutch players and Sonja Petrovic.

She joined the team late in a surprise move, but if she plays the kind of mature role she did for ZVVZ USK Prague in helping her team take their inaugural EuroLeague Women title, Serbia will be better than ever.

I love the roster from top to bottom - from the underrated Tamara Radocaj and Dajana Butulija, to the personality and offense of sister act Milica and Ana Dabovic - through to team leader Jelena Milovanovic.

To see the exciting Aleksandra Crvendakic in the mix too and fighting it out for court time with the likes of Petrovic is incredible. The potential need for a more solid platform has also been addressed with the naturalisation of Danielle Page.

The pieces are in place and if chemistry holds up, I genuinely think that in a one-off Semi Final or Final, there is only the width of a cigarette paper between all three of these teams and it will come down to whoever performs on the day.

Next week and on the eve of the tournament, I will take a look at who else is in the running for Rio.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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