MUNICH (Germany) - There was a glut of outstanding performances during an exciting second window of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers but who was the standout player for each nation?

With each participating country having already been handed a collective assessment, it's now time to throw the spotlight onto each team's MVP. 

Group A

Belgium  

Emma Meesseman - PF / 1.93m / 1993 

Statistics: 18.5 PPG / 7.5 RPG / 6.5 APG / 4.0 SPG; 32.0 EFF 

Back from injury, Meesseman confirmed her status as one of the best players in the world with a typically knockout display in this window. That included a near triple-double against Bosnia and Herzegovina which harvested a performance efficiency valuation of 36.

Bosnia and Herzegovina   

Courtney Hurt - SF / 1.85m / 1990

Statistics: 17.0 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 11.0 EFF 

Trying to fill the naturalized shoes of Jonquel Jones is not an enviable task. Even if it was two disastrous results for Bosnia and Herzegovina as their freefall continues, Hurt at least could hold her head high after posting two respectable contributions. 

Leonie Fiebich was superb in leading Germany to two wins and made the Gameday 4 Top Performers list

Germany   

Leonie Fiebich - SG/SF / 1.92m / 2000

Statistics: 15.0 PPG; 11.5 RPG; 4.5 APG; 2.0 SPG; 26/5 EFF

The versatile Fiebich is only 22-years-old and already a clear standout leader for her country. It's her versatility to handle the ball, score from outside and also mix it up in the paint because of her sheer size that makes her so effective and impactful at both ends.

North Macedonia 

Jelena Antic - SF / 1.87m / 1991

Statistics: 11.5 PPG; 5.0 RPG; 3.5 APG; 

It was a disappointing window for North Macedonia as they suffered two huge defeats and the experienced Antic was one of ony a few players to apply themselves in the contests. She posted a creditable 15 points against the Belgian Cats.

Group B 

Finland  

Elina Aarnisalo - G / 1.94m / 2005

Statistics: 21.0 PPG; 3.5 APG; 13.5 EFF

Just edging out fellow young gun Awak Kuier, the guard showed that Finland doesn't just have one standout rising star. Aarnisalo looks a brilliant exciting prospect. She can score, is strong and won't back down from taking shots if things are not going her way.

Marine Johannes provided two mature displays as France turned on the style in this window

France 

Marine Johannes - SG / 1.77m / 1995 

Statistics: 18.5 PPG; 3.5 APG, 19.0 EFF

While Johannes did not quite fill the highlights reel with the gusto of some past performances, this looked like a new phase of maturity and leadership. She performed very well as part of the impressive team showing. She scored, created and looked after the ball nicely.

Lithuania  

Gintare Petronyte - C / 1.95m / 1989

Statistics: 16.5PPG; 9.0 RPG, 21.5 EFF

Deservedly a Top Performer on Gameday 3, Petronyte's physical presence and experience was the centerpiece for a fabulous and much needed first victory of the campaign against Ukraine. She then played a nice efficient cameo in the win against Finland.

Ukraine  

Olga Maznichenko - PF / 1.87m / 1991

Statistics: 15.5 PPG; 7.5 RPG; 2.5 APG; 20.0 EFF

With Ukraine suffering two defeats and being extremely erratic across both games in just about everything they did, the consistency of Maznichenko stood out. She did all of the fundamentals nicely and was the one big positive to come out of the window. 

Group C

Hungary  

Virag Kiss - C / 1.94m / 1998

Statistics: 19.0 PPG; 7.5 RPG; 2.0 APG; 21.0 EFF

The powerful Kiss has been in good form domestically and transferred this to a national team vest with two very good showings in this window. As well as good work under the hoop, she also demonstrated that she has shooting range with three triples against Romania.

Sara Run Hinriksdottir lit it up as Iceland celebrated a rare victory by taking down Romania

Iceland  

Sara Run Hinriksdottir - SF / 1.80m / 1996 

Statistics: 24.5 PPG; 4.0 APG; 14.5 EFF

Just like last year in the first window, there is no looking past the forward who was the backbone of that memorable win against Romania. In that rare victory she had a superb 33 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. 

Romania  

Ana Virjoghe - C / 1.96m / 1999

Statistics: 14.5 PPG; 12.5 RPG; 20.5 EFF

It was a bleak and forgettable window for Romania after a massive loss to Hungary and a double-digit defeat to Iceland. However, there was no doubt that the super work of Virjoghe is worth drawing attention to as she was outstanding on the glass in particular. 

Spain 

Astou Ndour - C / 1.98m / 1994

Statistics: 21.0 PPG; 73% FG; 6.0 RPG; 2.0 SPG; 3.0 BPG;  28.0 EFF

Everyone is used to seeing classy displays from Ndour and while missing for the stroll against Iceland in the first game, she was back for the big clash versus Hungary. And, it was a welcome return after proving to be the primary contributor and game-winner for Spain.

Group D

Albania 

Ornella Lalaj - SF / 1.78m / 1994

Statistics: 4.0 PPG; 6.0 RPG; 2.5 APG

It's very lean pickings as far as choosing a standout from Albania is concerned as they suffered two more massive blowouts. However, in such situations, you have to admire the hard work from players like Lalaj that never stopped chasing rebounds and toiling for the team.

Poland  

Weronika Telenga - PF / 1.92m / 1995

Statistics: 12.5 PPG;12.0 RPG; 2.0 APG; 20.5 EFF

While Poland have some younger talents coming through, Telenga has assumed an important leadership role to demonstrate the standards required. She was very effective in the close game with Slovenia and as a leader is someone Coach Kovacik can rely on.

Slovenia ace Zala Friskovec was the GameDay 4 Top Performer after barely missing against Turkey

Slovenia  

Zala Friskovec - G / 1.80m / 1999

Statistics: 20.5 PPG; 5.5 RPG; 4.5 APG; 27.5 EFF

It's maybe tough on her colleague Teja Oblak who had an outstanding 27 assists across both games, but Friskovec just sneaks the MVP award. She was solid in the win against Poland and incredible with her fine performance efficiency valuation of 38 versus Turkey.

Turkey  

Teaira McCowan - C / 2.04m / 1996

Statistics: 27.0 PPG; 72% FG; 13.0 RPG; 33.5 EFF

What a boost the arrival of the newly naturalized McCowan has been for Turkey in this window. Her sheer size and imposing physical presence is just about unrivalled on the European stage. She put up huge numbers and will be the go-to baller now for Turkey.

Group E

Serbia  

Tina Krajisnik - C / 1.90m / 1991

Statistics: 18.0 PPG; 13.0 RPG; 5.0 SPG; 28.0 EFF

It was a one-sided win against Bulgaria for the current title holders, but that still needed a leader like Krajisnik to set the tone. The center put up a towering double-double, while her 5 steals highlighted the continued strength of Serbia in this facet of the game. 

Bulgaria   

Borislava Hristova - SG / 1.81m / 1996

Statistics: 17.0 PPG; 5.5 RPG; 4.5 APG

Just like in the previous window, it was Hristova who carried basically the only real threat for Bulgaria. They suffered two big losses to Serbia and Croatia and despite being the subject of most defensive attention, she still managed to amass 20 points against Croatia.

Croatia center Patricia Bura made the Gameday 4 Top Performers list for her powerful contribution against Bulgaria

Croatia  

Patricia Bura - C / 1.92m / 1996

Statistics: 19.0 PPG; 11.0 RPG; 3.0 APG; 4.0 BPG; 33.0 EFF

This was a coin-toss choice between Bura and her colleague Ana-Marija Begic since both were outstanding in the frontcourt during the win against Bulgaria. But Bura gets the nod as she just pipped Begic into the Week 4 Top Performers selection. 

Group F

Montenegro  

Jelena Dubljevic - F / 1.91m / 1987

Statistics: 23.0 PPG; 11.0 RPG; 22.0 EFF 

How many times have we seen this down the years? Dubljevic put Montenegro on her shoulders and carried them to the win. While she's done it against bigger rivals than Denmark, this was no less important. Her veteran know-how and skills were the difference. 

Austria 

Sigrid Elisabeth Koizar - G / 1.73m / 1995 

Statistics: 18.0 PPG; 7.0 RPG;  3.0 APG; 20.0 EFF

Austria will always remember this famous victory in front of their fans as they outlasted Denmark in a tense thriller. It was Koizar who led the way with an all-action effort as her nation evaporated doubts that they would be able to compete at the top level.

Denmark  

Maria Jespersen - F / 1.83m / 1994

Statistics: 26.0 PPG; 10.0 RPG; 24.0 EFF

Two very tight defeats for  Denmark were really tough on Jespersen since the forward was excellent as always. She was especially outstanding against Montenegro with a superb double-double of 30 points and 11 rebounds.

Group G

As usual, Greek center Maria Fasoula was an absolute handful in the paint for opposing defenders

Greece  

Maria Fasoula - C / 1.92m / 1997 

Statistics: 19.0 PPG; 8.5 RPG; 3.5 SPG; 24.0 EFF 

Unbeaten Greece had two class performers in Fasoula and Artemis Spanou, with the former just taking the honor over her teammate. What probably went unnoticed was that it wasn't just about points and rebounds, the center did some serious defensive work too.

Portugal  

Marcia da Costa Robalo - SG / 1.73m / 1989

Statistics: 22.0PPG; 3.0 RPG; 18.0 EFF

Portugal might end up regretting their painful overtime loss against Great Britain, but for da Costa Robalo there was some comfort in having put up a truly spectacular display. The guard netted 33 points and was on fire despite the defeat.

Estonia  

Janne Pulk - SG / 1.71m / 2000

Statistics: 11.0 PPG

In reality, this was an underwhelming window for Estonia or at least in comparison to the joy of having surprised Great Britain last November. There were no truly outstanding performers, but Pulk was probably the pick with two double-digit scoring returns.

Great Britain  

Temi Fagbenle - C / 1.93m / 1992

Statistics: 23.0 PPG; 6.5 RPG; 5.0 APG; 4.0 SPG 29.5 EFF

A colossus, Fagbenle had a sensational window individually, helping her team pip Portugal in overtime and then fight hard in Greece before just falling short. Amazing numbers and unstoppable at times, Britain were left wishing they'd had her for the first window.

Group H

Italy  

Jasmine Keys - F/ 1.87m / 1997

Statistics: 11.5 PPG; 6.5 RPG; 2.0 APG, 17.0 EFF

There are few players in Europe who have improved as much in the past couple of years as Keys in terms of such a growing influence for club and country. The forward is always super efficient and was typically so in a great window that saw Italy punch their ticket. 

Still only 17-years-old Faith Ehi Etute was sensational again for Luxembourg and they got their first win

Luxembourg 

Faith Ehi Etute - PF/ 1.83m / 2005

Statistics: 23.5 PPG; 13.5 RPG; 3.5 SPG; 29.0 EFF

It's incredible that Etute is just 17-years-old and yet can put up these spectacular displays and numbers. She deservedly made the Gameday 3 Top Performers for her display against Slovakia and then was instrumental in a memorable success against Switzerland.

Slovakia  

Ivana Jakubcova - C / 1.97m / 1994 

Statistics: 10.5 PPG; 9.0 RPG; 17.0 EFF

It was a similar story to the first window, with Jakubcova producing a couple of smart and eye-catching displays. Even in the loss to Italy, the center was impressive with and efficient 12 points and 8 boards.

Switzerland  

Nadia Constantin - G/ 1.70m / 1997

Statistics: 9.0 PPG; 2.0 RPG; 

It was a nightmare window for Switzerland with two huge defeats and barely any player came up to the level they can play at, perhaps with the exception of Constantin. She at least had 16 points, albeit in the morale-crushing loss to Luxembourg. 

Group I

Netherlands  

Loyce Bettonvil - SF/ 1.85m / 1993

Statistics: 12.5 PPG; 8.0 RPG; 2.0 APG; 16.5 EFF

It was one win and one loss in the window for Netherlands and the most consistent performer was certainly Bettonvil. She made sure her team didn't pick up a costly loss in Ireland with an impressive 15 points and 9 boards.

Czech Republic  

Julia Reisingerova C / 1.94m / 1998

Statistics: 19.0 PPG; 89% FG; 7.0 RPG; 23.0 EFF

The center showed her EuroLeague Women quality and was largely unstoppable as Czech Republic won the pivotal game with Netherlands. She went 8-of-9 from the field and was such a dominant and efficient focal point in a precious victory.

Ireland 

Claire Melia - C / 1.90m / 1999 

Statistics: 19.0 PPG; 13.0 RPG; 3.0 APG; 26.0 EFF

Like always, Melia was a colossus for her nation and posted another brilliant performance for Ireland. Sadly for the center and her teammates, they just came up short in a one-shot loss to Netherlands.

Group J

The leadership of Anete Steinberga was pivotal for Latvia again as they took their ticket

Latvia  

Anete Steinberga - C/ 1.90m / 1990 

Statistics: 22.0 PPG; 10.0 RPG; 7.0 APG; 25.0 EFF 

Copy. Paste. Repeat. Just like in last November's window, Steinberga was a tower of strength and model of leadership for her country. When the pressure was on, she kept Latvia moving towards that precious and hard-fought win against Israel which booked their spot.  

Israel  

Alexandra Cohen - C / 1.96m / 1993

Statistics: 17.5 PPG; 63% FG; 8.5 RPG; 21.0 EFF

If the center can maintain this level for the big show next year on home soil, then Israel have a good anchor. Cohen put up some good numbers and displays, with her 4-of-5 rom downtown against Israel really impressive and showcasing her shooting range. 

Sweden  

Klara Lundquist - G / 1.73m / 1999 

Statistics: 21 PPG; 8.0 APG; 5.0 RPG; 3.0 APG; 21 EFF

Another case of deja vu, the young guard continues to be a pillar for Sweden and while they are still winless, Lundquist could barely have done more to inspire victory against Israel. Amanda Zahui was of course also a strong contender after her double-double.

FIBA