MUNICH (Germany) - The last FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers window is upon us and as many as six of the 11 remaining places in the Final Round could be claimed already during Gameday 5.

Among the nations who have a shot at early qualification are the likes of Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Great Britain and Slovenia, with their opponents looking to make it as difficult as possible.

With a range of different potential outcomes, we're here to guide you through it. You may also want to familiarize yourself with the Competition System, as well as getting some additional insight via the latest edition of the Power Rankings.  

For the full game schedule and tip-off times, click here. 

Group A - LJUBLJANA, SLO

8/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Slovenia	4	4	0	100	313	256	57	78.2	64	8
2	Greece	4	2	2	50.0	296	267	29	74	66.8	6
3	Bulgaria	4	2	2	50.0	288	267	21	72	66.8	6
4	Iceland	4	0	4	0	234	341	-107	58.5	85.2	4

Upcoming games - February 4

16:15 CET: Slovenia v Bulgaria (First meeting: 72-64)
19:15 CET: Iceland v Greece (First meeting: 54-89)

Who could punch their ticket already?

Slovenia would qualify for the Final Round with a win against Bulgaria, but are also very well placed to progress even if they do not. A lot of things would have to wrong for Slovenia not to qualify already in Gameday 5. For that to happen, they would have to lose the head-to-head advantage to Bulgaria, and Iceland would have to overturn a 35-point defeat against Greece from their first game. 

Greece and Bulgaria will continue battling into Gameday 6, with Iceland already out of contention. 

Game to watch

Slovenia will look to their backcourt duo of Teja Oblak and Nika Baric being reunited after the latter missed the previous window. Zala Friskovec is on fire after lighting it up in EuroCup Women. Similarly, Borislava Hristova will aim to lead Bulgaria after her good recent form.

Group B - PODGORICA, MNE
4/6 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Sweden*	3	3	0	100	235	146	89	78.3	48.7	6
2	Montenegro	2	1	1	50.0	128	134	-6	64	67	3
3	Israel	3	0	3	0	157	240	-83	52.3	80	3

Upcoming games - February 4

17:40 CET: Montenegro v Sweden (First meeting: 55-68)

Who could punch their ticket already?

Sweden have already qualified for the Final Round, but would clinch top spot if they win against Montenegro or if they maintain the 13-point head to head advantage from the first meeting.

Montenegro cannot clinch a spot in the Final Round on Gameday 5. Israel would be mathematically eliminated if Montenegro beat Sweden.

Game to watch

If Montenegro want to put pressure on Sweden, they will be hoping Jovana Pasic continues her hot streak from EuroCup Women with ACS Sepsi-Sic. But it will be the long-awaited return of veteran star Jelena Dubljevic that could capture the headlines. Meanwhile Sweden are again without Amanda Zahui, but should welcome back Kalis Loyd and Regan Magarity.

Group C - ORENBURG, RUS
8/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Russia	4	3	1	75.0	335	246	89	83.8	61.5	7
2	BIH	4	3	1	75.0	310	256	54	77.5	64	7
3	Switzerland	4	2	2	50.0	239	301	-62	59.8	75.2	6
4	Estonia	4	0	4	0	243	324	-81	60.8	81	4

Upcoming games - February 4
12:30 CET: Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina (First meeting: 61-80)
15:30 CET: Russia v Estonia (First meeting: 96-66)

Who could punch their ticket already?

Bosnia and Herzegovina would qualify for the Final Round with a win. Russia cannot clinch a spot in the Final Round during Gameday 5.

Switzerland need to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina to stay alive, while Estonia are already eliminated.

Game to watch

Marielle Giroud enjoyed a big success with BCF Elfic Fribourg in EuroCup Women recently and the forward will be a driving force for Switzerland. As for Bosnia and Herzegovina, can they still perform without their two biggest stars Marica Gajic and Jonquel Jones?

GROUP D - ISTANBUL, TUR

8/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Czech Republic	4	3	1	75.0	269	244	25	67.2	61	7
2	Italy	4	3	1	75.0	293	265	28	73.2	66.2	7
3	Denmark	4	1	3	25.0	282	310	-28	70.5	77.5	5
4	Romania	4	1	3	25.0	271	296	-25	67.8	74	5

 Upcoming games - February 4

13:00 CET: Romania v Czech Republic (First meeting: 59-60)
20:00 CET: Italy v Denmark (First meeting: 82-72)

Who could punch their ticket already?

Czech Republic would qualify for the Final Round with a win if Italy lose to Denmark. Italy cannot clinch a spot in the Final Round on Gameday 5.

Game to watch

Czech Republic will be banking on the shooting skills of Katerina Elhotova who excelled in the last window, while the towering presence of Julia Reisingerova of Girona is always a bonus in the paint. Romania will need the experienced Gabriela Marginean to help pick them up after that nightmare loss to Denmark in their previous game, with the return of the naturalized Ashley Walker giving them a chance to cause an upset.

Group E - ISTANBUL, TUR
4/6 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Serbia*	3	3	0	100	224	203	21	74.7	67.7	6
2	Turkey	3	1	2	33.3	206	193	13	68.7	64.3	4
3	Lithuania	2	0	2	0	122	156	-34	61	78	2

Upcoming games - February 4

16:00 CET: Lithuania v Turkey (First meeting: 51-74)

Who could punch their ticket already?

Serbia are already qualified for the Final Round, with the first place in the group secured.

Neither Turkey or Lithuania can qualify for the Final Round on Gameday 5. However, Turkey could secure second place in the group with a win over Lithuania.

Game to watch

Turkey need someone to step up in the absence of injured duo Isil Alben and Tilbe Senyurek. They might need a huge game from the likes of Pelin Bilgic who can certainly score in bunches. But the biggest question is who do the select to guard Lithuania standout Gintare Petronyte? Will it be Quanitra Hollingsworth or Kiah Stokes?

Group F - RIGA, LAT

3/6 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Great Britain	3	2	1	66.7	211	202	9	70.3	67.3	5
2	Belarus	1	1	0	100	90	59	31	90	59	2
3	Poland	2	0	2	0	112	152	-40	56	76	2

Upcoming games

February 3

13:00 CET: Belarus v Poland 

February 4

12:30 CET: Belarus v Great Britain (First meeting: 90-59)

Who could punch their ticket already?

For purposes of permutations, we have combined the February 3 and 4 fixtures in Group F, with early qualification on the cards for Belarus and Great Britain. 

Belarus would secure qualification with wins over Poland and Great Britain. Meanwhile, a win over Belarus would send Great Britain through to the Final Round. 

Poland will need to beat Belarus in order to stay in contention for qualification.

Game to watch

Anastasiya Verameyenka is the all-time leader for shot blocking in EuroLeague Women, but can also pass the rock and shoot from range. She is central to the prospects of Belarus, while Great Britain will be looking to Temi Fagbenle under the basket and Karlie Samuelson on the wings.

Group G - MATOSINHOS, POR

8/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Belgium*	4	4	0	100	314	238	76	78.5	59.5	8
2	Ukraine	4	2	2	50.0	287	296	-9	71.8	74	6
3	Portugal	4	1	3	25.0	242	249	-7	60.5	62.2	5
4	Finland	4	1	3	25.0	242	302	-60	60.5	75.5	5

Upcoming games - February 4

16:00 CET: Belgium v Finland (First meeting: 85-58)
22:00 CET: Portugal v Ukraine (First meeting: 60-72)

Who could punch their ticket already?

Belgium have already qualified and secured the top spot in the group.

No other team can qualify on Gameday 5, but Ukraine can secure second place in the group with a win over Portugal, if Finland lose to Belgium.

Game to watch

There are few more entertaining players to focus on than Alina Iagupova. The do-it-all star continues to be the heart and soul of Ukraine and she could be about to propel them towards another Final Round. Have Portugal got the offense to keep pace? They will need more than the inside presence of the ever-reliable Sofia Silva.

Group H - PIESTANY, SVK
4/6 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Netherlands	3	2	1	66.7	198	203	-5	66	67.7	5
2	Hungary	3	1	2	33.3	192	193	-1	64	64.3	4
3	Slovakia	2	1	1	50.0	143	137	6	71.5	68.5	3

Upcoming games - February 4

18:00 CET: Slovakia v Hungary (First meeting: 59-73)

Who could punch their ticket already?

Nobody can qualify on Gameday 5. However, Hungary must win in order stay in contention.

All will be decided on Saturday upon the completion of the Netherlands v Slovakia game on Gameday 6.

Game to watch

It's a must-win for Hungary, so the experience and composure of captain Krisztina Raksanyi will be priceless, along with the strength of Cyesha Goree as the anchor in the paint. For Slovakia, Barbora Balintova will be out to replicate her excellent EuroLeague Women form.

Group I - RIGA, LAT

8/12 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Croatia	4	3	1	75.0	325	296	29	81.2	74	7
2	Germany	4	3	1	75.0	338	259	79	84.5	64.8	7
3	Latvia	4	2	2	50.0	313	264	49	78.2	66	6
4	North Macedonia	4	0	4	0	200	357	-157	50	89.2	4

Upcoming games - February 4

15:30 CET: Germany v Croatia (First meeting: 86-93)

Note: North Macedonia will not take part in the February window due to COVID-19-related disruptions.

Who could punch their ticket already?

Croatia is the only team that can clinch early qualification on Gameday 5. They would qualify with a win. 

Game to watch

Germany will have to deal with the absence of Satou Sabally and Marie Guelich, so a heavy load will fall onto Luisa Geiselsoder and Leonie Fiebich. Croatia will need Ivana Dojkic to provide the firepower from the backcourt and will be confident heading into this one, with Marija Rezan of ZVVZ USK Praha back after missing the previous window and able to form a one-two punch with Ana-Marija Begic.

DISCLAIMER: The above analysis has been prepared solely for the purpose of improving the experience of fans. It is not to be understood as advice or as binding information on the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 for competition purposes.

FIBA