MUNICH (Germany) - With the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 now only a couple of weeks or so away, things are getting serious and that means a second volume of the Power Rankings.

Taking into account the latest squad announcements and preparation games, here's the second of three editions ahead of the big tip-off and following on from Volume 1.

1. Spain   (+1) 

Preparation Games Record: 2-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 4th 

Spanish fans must get ready for a return back to a gold rush! There was a rationale that losing a classy centerpiece like Astou Ndour shouldn't result in Spain moving up, but the form of Raquel Carrera should help to mitigate this absence. The number one spot is also due to the bad news received by main rivals France who've lost two of their biggest hitters. Everyone else for Spain looks to be locked, loaded and ready. So the question is simple - why shouldn't they go to this edition expecting gold? They're now favorites. Right?

2. Belgium   (+1) 

Preparation Games Record: 3-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 7th

Everything seems to be going to plan for the Cats. Largely without any major absences, they've racked up some impressive preparation results. Perhaps most importantly, they seem to be back playing at a better tempo and with more freedom under Rachid Meziane. Whisper it quietly, but it is more reminiscent of how they played while they were rising up. Are we too excited to mention a first Final? The big question is whether they can keep this rhythm against better teams and when under pressure. We'll soon find out. 

3. Serbia   (+1) 

Preparation Games Record: 3-3
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 8th

Okay, sorry French fans. The logic might seem flawed to have Serbia up and France down after the two preparation losses for Marina Maljkovic and her team. However, history has showed us that more than any team, you have to almost ignore Serbia's friendly game outcomes because they are built for the business end of every summer. Their two titles and bronze in 2019 are evidence of this. 

4. France  (-3)

Preparation Games Record: 2-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th

Normally the French train comes off the track in the Final, but will it happen before this time? Two of the main reasons they were in pole position for gold was because of Marine Johannes and Gabby Williams who are now both out. If French fans shed a tear at the news, so did us neutrals. Still capable of a deep run, will a lack of special clutch talent cost them a podium place? All eyes are now on the likes of Valeriane Vukosavljevic, Marine Fauthoux and Iliana Rupert. At least those prep wins against Serbia were a positive response. 

Cecilia Zandalasini continues to lead Italy as they look for a first prep win 

5. Italy   (-)

Preparation Games Record: 0-2 
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 14th

Lucky to keep their ranking of fifth spot? Probably. It's been an interesting start to preparation with a last-gasp loss to China and then being shutdown completely by Spain. The big eye-opener was scoring just 44 points against the latter. The alarm bells aren't exactly ringing, but in these next games, Italy have to show they can turn up the heat on offense if they want to prove they do have the potential to make a deep run. Also, it can't all lie in the hands of Cecilia Zanadalasini because she will get so much defensive attention.

6. Turkey   (-)

Preparation Games Record: 3-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 11th

At the time of writing, we haven't yet seen Teaira McCowan stepping out in a Turkey vest even if she has signed off in the WNBA. Until she does, then Turkey's prospects look uncertain. Olcay Cakir recently spoke about how a podium place was her dream, but that seems a little way off. A big plus point is that forward Tilbe Senyurek has proven that McCowan isn't the only baller capable of doing big things in the paint. There have been some wildly mixed results in preparation which probably leaves more questions than answers.

7. Great Britain   (+4) 

Preparation Games Record: 0-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 20th

We know, we know. We've got over-excited, but we had to pin the dark horse label on someone? As soon as the Brits confirmed Temi Fagbenle in the squad, that secured them a positive jump of a few places, but it didn't stop there. They have also added WBBL MVP and talented forward Kiki Herbert-Harrigan who has WNBA experience and then on top of this, naturalized Sydney Wallace for the backcourt to slide in alongside the massively talented Holly Winterburn. It looks like bad news for group rivals Germany and Slovenia.

8. Latvia  (-1)

Preparation Games Record: 2-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 25th

It's maybe a little bit harsh on Latvia that they move down a place because they did well in the Istanbul tournament, beating Czech Republic and Germany but then also losing to Turkey. However, blame the Brits for jumping two-footed into the top eight. In reality, everything looks to be going to the textbook for Gundars Vetra. His team leaders Anete Steinberga and Kitija Laksa showed their teeth and there was a positive display from Aleksa Gulbe too. Overall, Latvia look like very strong contenders for the Quarter-Finals.

Israel split their series with Slovakia and young forward Yarden Garzon stood out

9. Israel   (-)

Preparation Games Record: 1-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 49th

Tantalizingly balanced between slipping into the top eight or just missing out, Israel have not shown anything to wildly dismiss the theory. They split the series with Slovakia with a one-point loss and a convincing victory. But also losing to Greece was not ideal. A huge reason to smile is the form of young forward Yarden Garzon, one of the rising stars to watch at the tournament. With Jennie Simms hopefully still to arrive and join the squad, the co-hosts could yet light it up for home fans in Tel Aviv but need to step it up.

10. Hungary   (+2) 

Preparation Games Record: 4-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 24th

On results alone, Hungary probably deserve an even higher climb up the rankings, so we hear you on that. But on the flip-side, with no Cyesha Goree or Dorka Juhasz to call upon, it has been a bitter-sweet first few weeks in the build up to the main event. The way they dismantled Slovenia was sensational though, with Virag Kiss particularly impressive and a number of other players all making solid contributions. Less convincing in the double-header against Portugal, they still got wins and need to be treat as serious QF contenders.

11. Slovenia  (-3)

Preparation Games Record: 3-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 19th

The short rotation and options for Slovenia has been exposed early in preparations after opening with a couple of very poor losses to Hungary. Since then they have beaten Croatia and Poland who didn't qualify for the FIBA Women's EuroBasket and that arguably papers over some cracks. Teja Oblak can't be expected to keep performing miracles and producing standout contributions, while Zala Friskovec is in a similar position. Eva Lisec can arguably bring even more, but outside of the trio, there's not a lot to rely on.

12. Czech Republic   (+1) 

Preparation Games Record: 2-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 23rd

Did we write-off Czech Republic too early? They made us sit up and take notice with a fabulous preparation victory against Turkey in Istanbul and also beat Germany before being undone by Latvia. It was impressive how the younger players performed, with Dominka Paurova and Emma Cechova catching the eye. Now it's all about consistency for this team. Even within the games they have played they get streaky, always blowing really hot or cold. But they've given their group rivals a lot more to think about with this start in prep.

Germany tipped off their preparation with three losses but young gun Emily Bessoir has impressed

13. Germany   (-3)

Preparation Games Record: 0-3
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 36th

It's been three defeats against Turkey, Latvia and Czech Republic. In fairness, new head coach Lisa Thomaidis did rest some players for some prep games and a couple of senior players were absent because of 3x3 World Cup duties. However, the need for a quality naturalized guard always looked important and now it looks essential in the longer term. The more pressing priority is to figure out ways of upping the backcourt offensive production. The good news? Young Emily Bessoir could be about to have a major impact.

14. Montenegro    (-) 

Preparation Games Record: 0-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 21st

While they may have not impressed results wise in preparation, they have been largely competitive and still have to choose to field the naturalized Natasha Mack or Taya Reimer. That ability to have one of those two bonafide powerhouse bigs increased their prospects considerably. That rotation with Milica Jovanovic is going to form the basis of their challenge, although losing Jelena Dubljevic to injury is a huge blow. Now it's all about seeing how their guards can perform if they really want to make some noise.

15. Slovakia   (+1) 

Preparation Games Record: 1-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 22nd

Few if anybody is expecting Slovakia to punch their way out of the Group Phase, but they've already shown that on their day, they can give someone a bloody nose! They landed that blow to co-hosts Israel and that should prove to be a big warning shot to their opponents. Nikola Dudasova and Terezia Palenikova dropped 20 and 17 points respectively to show they could be a threat. Group rivals Turkey, Serbia and Hungary all need to bring their 'A Game' against Slovakia and can't take getting a win for granted.

16. Greece  (-2)

Preparation Games Record: 1-3
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 17th

Ouch. It already looked like Greece might struggle before preparation began and friendly results have underlined this. They've not just been defeated, but lost heavily to Turkey by 15 and to Belgium by 23 and 30. An 8-69 win against Israel helped ease the pain a little at least. The limitations of their offensive power means their defense must be amazing. The biggest worry is that they already have their main players in situ and won't get a boost of big-hitters arriving late. It's worrying but Greece are used to being underdogs.

The Power Rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.