European Qualifiers: 10 eye-catching matchups to look out for in the November window

MUNICH (Germany) - The opening window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers promises to serve up plenty of excitement as this early stage of the journey to the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan begins.

Each of the 32 teams will play two games in the November window and most will get to experience the joy of playing in front of their passionate supporters on the international stage once again.

Here's a look at 10 matchups that should catch the eye later this month:

SERBIA v LATVIA

Time: Thursday, November 25 - 20:00 CET
Place: Belgrade, Aleksandar Nikolic Hall

A big battle in Belgrade to open the window as Serbia host Latvia. The two teams had contrasting fortunes during the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers and this will be an early chance to make a statement of their intentions towards the World Cup. Latvia missed out on a place at next year's European flagship event, while Serbia did show they are vulnerable with a few hiccups along the way.

CROATIA v SLOVENIA

Time: Thursday, November 25 - 20:45 CET
Place: Zagreb, Drazen Petrovic Basketball Center

Slovenia were the feel-good nation over the summer as they won the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2020 in Kaunas to make a historic first trip to the Olympics and just missed out on a medal in fourth place. The reigning EuroBasket champions will be desperate to make up for failing to qualify for the last FIBA Basketball World Cup and start with a testing encounter in Zagreb. Croatia started strong during the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers and this will be an early chance to take control of the group with the two teams expected to battle for top spot.

GREAT BRITAIN v GREECE

Time: Thursday, November 25 - 19:30 CET
Place: Newcastle upon Tyne, Vertu Motors Arena

Last time Great Britain hosted a game in Newcastle, they secured a thrilling victory over Germany behind an inspired Luke Nelson display. If you go back even further to their previous qualifying campaign for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and two narrow losses to Greece stand out. The two teams meet again in a wide-open group and this is where the support of a home crowd could make all the difference, especially after the last 18 months or so.

SWEDEN v FINLAND

Time: Thursday, November 25 - 20:00 CET
Place: Stockholm, Avicii Arena

Stockholm will be rocking at the Avicii Arena for an all-Scandinavian clash on the opening night. Sweden and Finland go head-to-head in an important clash knowing tough tests are to follow with Croatia and Slovenia also in the group. Finland closed out their FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers campaign with an impressive win at Georgia as they head into next year's major tournament, while Sweden missed out, despite beating Turkey in their only home encounter.

FRANCE v MONTENEGRO

Time: Friday, November 26 - 20:30 CET
Place: Pau, Palais des Sports de Pau

Montenegro will have mixed memories from their previous trip to Pau having played two games there during the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers, though neither were against France. The two teams last met in Podgorica as Montenegro's hopes were ended in an agonizing two-point loss having lost by 19 in the previous encounter in front of fans in February, 2020. France will be front-runners in the group and Montenegro will want to show their improvement ahead of a first home game against Portugal.

RUSSIA v ITALY

Time: Friday, November 26 - 17:00 CET
Place: St Petersburg, Yubileyniy Sport Complex

Familiar foes meet again with Russia and Italy squaring off in the first window of a qualifying campaign for the second year in a row. The two teams met in Naples in February 2020, at the start of the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers with Italy enjoying a 19-point win before winning their next encounter in a bubble in Tallinn, Estonia. Despite the two losses, Russia still finished on the same 4-2 record as Italy and will hope for a different outcome in St Petersburg. 

BELARUS v TURKEY

Time: Thursday, November 25 - 17:30 CET
Place: Minsk, Sports Palace

Belarus had to come through the Pre-Qualifiers to get to this stage and have the perfect platform to make their mark when they welcome Turkey to Minsk in the opening game of the Qualifiers. They have accrued an experienced squad over the years and defeated Slovenia the last time they competed in the World Cup Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Turkey had to rally from a 0-3 start to reach FIBA EuroBasket 2022 so will be desperate to avoid another slow start.

POLAND v GERMANY

Time: Sunday, November 28 - 20:00 CET
Place: Lublin, Globus Arena

A new era begins for Poland with Igor Milicic at the helm of the national side and the first home game will be against rivals, Germany, in Lublin. Both teams made it to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and also head to FIBA EuroBasket 2022 next year with Germany one of the four co-hosts, whilst also hosting the Final Phase in Berlin. They beat France in the qualification period, but that was their sole win as Great Britain and Montenegro recorded doubles and they cannot afford subsequent lapses this time around.

CZECH REPUBLIC v LITHUANIA

Time: Monday, November 29 - 17:00 CET
Place: Opava, Viceucelova Hala Opava

Lithuania almost failed to make it to FIBA EuroBasket 2022, but had Mantas Kalnietis' outstretched fingertips to thank in their dramatic triumph over Denmark. However, it was their qualifying double over Czech Republic that paved the way with both encounters taking place in Vilnius. This time, with fans back on home soil, Czech Republic have a chance to extract revenge and build up momentum ahead of next year's EuroBasket - as one of the co-hosts.

SPAIN v GEORGIA

Time: Monday, November 29 - 20:30 CET
Place: Jaen, Palacio de Deportes Olivo Arena

Another intriguing clash to round out the first window of the Qualifiers. Spain are looking to the future with high-profile retirements including the Gasol brothers in the summer and turn to their younger players to build more international experience. Georgia will provide a stern test and are no strangers to taking a major scalp on the road having defeated Serbia in Belgrade to open the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers last year. The two teams are also set to meet at next year's tournament when Georgia host Group A in Tbilisi.

FIBA