MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers tipped off last week. A total of 32 teams are spread across eight groups, with the top three advancing to the Second Round.
Each team played a pair of games, while another pair will be played in February and March 2026, and the First Round concludes in July 2026.
The Second Round starts immediately after, in August, followed by another couple of windows in November 2026 and February/March 2027.
We will be monitoring each country's progress in our Power Rankings before and after each window.
#1 Türkiye (+1)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Serbia
Clean sweep, perfect Window, zero stress for coach Ergin Ataman and his men.
The best part of these two games? Bulletproof evidence nobody loves their national team more than the Turkish fans in this continent, as they drew 9,876 fans in Istanbul when they faced Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Or, you know, it could've been just the fans waiting to give their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 heroes a much deserved welcome in a home game.
Either way, only one game had higher attendance than that one in all of the world during the November/December Window.
#2 Germany (-1)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Croatia
Losing the top spot is more about the fact that Türkiye were more impressive than about Germany doing anything wrong here. It's not you, it's me kind of a thing.
The reigning champs cruised to a win over Israel, but had a few hiccups on the road in Cyprus. Sure, they won that game comfortably, but they know those kind of hiccups won't work in February and March, as they face the other 2-0 team from their group. Twice.
#3 Greece (=)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Montenegro
Smooth sailing, nothing to add.
Greece were dominant against Romania, with their 20-year-old Alexandros Samodurov ending up as the game hero, and then they prevented Portugal from being the biggest surprise of the Window.
Fun times in the Mitrou-Long family, too: Elijah played the first game, Naz the second, that probably means the world to both of them.
(Summer scrimmages gonna be wild when they coach Vassilis Spanoulis goes for a Mitrou-Long - Mitrou-Long - Antetokounmpo - Antetokounmpo - Antetokounmpo lineup...)
#4 Serbia (=)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Türkiye
It doesn't get any crazier than this, does it?
Coach Dusan Alimpijevic probably thought "brate, šta se dešava1" when Switzerland opened up a 23-point, yes, a twenty-three point lead in Belgrade in his very first game at the helm of Serbia.
He probably thought "zet se bruka2" as Bosnia and Herzegovina had an eight-point lead with eight minutes to play in Sarajevo, the same place where his wife is from, and where his in-laws were watching the game unfold.
And yet, after all that, coach Alimpijevic is the one smiling, as he turned Serbia into comeback kings of the first Window.
He said it himself, first two games, after all the changes in the post-EuroBasket world, you just need to win, and worry about the artistic impression later on. Job done. Actually, job started. Awesome job, too.
1 "Bro what's going on" - he didn't actually say this 2 "Son-in-law is embarrassing himself" - he actually said this
#5 Spain (+6)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Ukraine
Chus Mateo's reign began with two double digit wins, including a more than comfy triumph with Georgia on the other side of the floor.
Add to the fact that we've also witnessed the emergence of Great Osobor, Alvaro Cardenas and especially Izan Almansa, and you've finally got the new millennium kids taking over.
Oh, and they also had the highlights of the Window, for sure:
Good times in Spain. Exactly what they needed after an abysmal EuroBasket run.
#6 Poland (+2)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Latvia
Don't let Serbia's -23 comeback distract you from the fact that Poland also had a -21 comeback this time around.
Poland led for a total of one minute and 23 seconds against the Netherlands, but who cares, 2-0, with a break over the other team that could've been at 2-0.
Coach Igor Milicic had nine different guys averaging double digit minutes across these two games, and with Poland being the only 2-0 team in their group, those two upcoming games against Latvia already have them daydreaming about going 4-0 and checking the neighboring group, because why not?
Daydreaming is not only allowed, it's encouraged here at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers Smart Power Rankings Headquarters.
#7 Croatia (+12)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Germany
Hey now! Where did this come from!?
While pretty much most of the basketball enthusiasts around the world expected Croatia to take care of business vs. Cyprus, not a lot of people saw them having a walk in the park against Israel.
That's exactly what coach Tomislav Mijatovic and his men did on Monday. Oh, and they've got a new phenom growing up right before our eyes:
#8 Ukraine (+15)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Spain
Give Oleksandr Kovliar the Best Player Nobody Talked About award right now!
Okay, that's not an actual award, but what the heck was this from the 23-year-old Buducnost guard: 29.5 points (LOL), 8.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 31.0 efficiency rating per game.
He is #1 in points, scored 10 more than anybody else; #4 in assists; and tied for #1 in efficiency rating with Mario Hezonja.
Show of hands, who expected this before the Window? Nobody??? Same, tbh.
Who's expecting more of the same in February and March? Everybody??? Same, tbh.
#9 Hungary (+11)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. France
Here's a pro tip for your Fantasy team next time around: If you see Hungary playing a game in Szombathely, pick Zoltan Perl.
Doesn't matter who is on the other side, France, Finland, 2014 San Antonio Spurs, 2007 AC Milan lineup, 2024-25 Ferencvaros water polo club, or this year's McLaren F1 team.
When Zoltan is playing in his hometown, he's going to score 20+ and figure out a way how to win the game. When you pair him up with Nate Reuvers, he'll guide Hungary to a 2-0 start, exactly what they hoped for before the two encounters with France.
Seriously, though. If they play in Szombathely again, pick Z-man.
#10 Czechia (+17)
Record: 2-0 February/March back-to-back: vs. Slovenia
We told you they are a legit Top 10 team if they win both games, and we acknowledge we had them waaaaaaaaaaay too low, and we apologize. We do.
That's why we've got them up here now. Two firecracker games coming up against Slovenia for these guys, and you know what, with Tomas Satoransky doing the Tomas Satoransky things, you could see them going 4-0 when we revisit the Power Rankings in March.
Facts.
#11 Italy (+1)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Great Britain
We were ready to put them in the 20s here, as they lost at home to Iceland, and any Power Rankings follower would tell you that classifies as a big no-no.
The reason why we were prepared for that is because they had a tough road game in Lithuania in their itinerary.
Oh, and that's the reason why they actually improved a spot, even with a loss at home, because they went and defeated Lithuania on the road, which could be big after all is said and done in these Qualifiers.
Solid start for coach Luca Banchi!
#12 Finland (-4)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Belgium
There were some worried looks as they dropped the first game and had France coming to town in game two, but Susijengi once again proved they are a different kind of beast at home.
With the 0-2 hole avoided, coach Lassi Tuovi can now consider this Window a success, as some new parts were added to the EuroBasket 2025 core, in Perttu Blomgren, Andre Gustavson and Mustapha Amzil, plus a bit more experienced Henri Kantonen.
Keep an eye on Amzil. Still just 24, Mustapha is putting up 14.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game for Trepca in the FIBA Europe Cup.
It's his first pro season after five seasons with the Dayton Flyers and New Mexico Lobos in the NCAA, so give him time, too.
#13 Lithuania (-7)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Iceland
Never thought we'd use Ignas Sargiunas and Reggie Miller in the same sentence... And yet, here we are!
To say that Sargiunas caught fire against Great Britain would be an understatement. He scored nine points in nine seconds to save Lithuania on the road, even though it felt they were at home with the number of yellow-green-red flags in the stands.
So... Why did they lose seven spots? Because in theory they needed that Sargiunas inferno to avoid an 0-2 hole.
But they also were *this* close to being 2-0, so we got them as one of the best 1-1 teams so far.
#14 France (-9)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Hungary
High expectations mean you lose nine spots when you lose one of these games. Make no mistake about it, we'll have France back in the Top 10 when we see their roster in February, because that's where they deserve to be and because they are just scary talent-wise, generally.
In other news, that February roster will be without one of those guys who we all thought would never retire.
#15 Portugal (+3)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Romania
The feel-good story of EuroBasket continues, as Portugal picked up a crucial road win over Montenegro.
Before you go, "bro, crucial, really? On Gameday 1!?" hear us out:
Greece, obvious favorites in Group B, right? Right. Romania, tradition-wise, obvious underdogs, right? Right. Meaning, Portugal and Montenegro are the inbetweeners.
So if you pick up a win by 21 points on the road, you kinda feel like you could complete the sweep and potentially consider a 5-1 or 4-2 record before the Second Round.
And with Spain coming in as obvious favorites from Group A, right? Right, every single tiebreaker and point could matter among the remaining teams.
Portugal never made the World Cup. Just saying.
#16 Slovenia (-7)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Czechia
Let's never mention Estonia again, okay? Just for the chaos of the finish and the way they allowed Estonia back into the game (twice), Slovenia lose seven spots here.
However, focus on the bright side. Their 24-year-old point guard Ziga Samar is playing with so much patience and calmness, he's like a 34-year-old when it comes to basketball IQ.
His perennial youth events teammate Gregor Glas knocked down six threes in 13 tries in 32 minutes in those two games. Bine Prepelic and Rok Radovic are also a part of the 2001-born generation.
And then you had two guys born in 2006, Urban Kroflic and Zak Smrekar coming in. And then you had 2008-born Stefan Joksimovic getting 33 minutes in two games, looking so comfortable.
Youngsters are slowly but surely taking over in Slovenia.
#17 Netherlands (+9)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Austria
One missed layup from being 2-0...
For something like 78 minutes, the Netherlands looked like one of the best teams of the Window, but Poland caught them relaxing, and now we're talking about a Top 20 team instead of a Top 10 team.
The one-two punch of Yanna Franke and Keye van der Vuurts looks solid, both of them are now experienced enough to demand full focus from the others when they take on Austria in February and March. That 3-1 mark is within reach...
#18 Estonia (-2)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Sweden
Probably the nation with the most clutch finishes over the last three or four years. Worldwide, for sure.
Get this:
-5 vs. Czechia and +1 (OT) vs. Slovenia now
-3 vs. Portugal and -2 vs. Latvia at EuroBasket 2025
-2 and +4 vs. Poland in EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers
+2 vs. Israel, -3 vs. Czechia, +1 vs. Sweden, +1 vs. Slovenia in World Cup 2023 Qualifiers
Meaning, 11 of their last 18 games in all competitions have been decided by five points or less.
We're under stress just telling you about that.
#19 Iceland (+5)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Lithuania
Can they just host games in Italy now? No? Damn.
Iceland are making road wins vs. Italy a habit now across Qualifiers, but they couldn't complete the perfect Window, losing to Team GB at home, so they aren't up in the Top 10 even with a gigantic road win over a higher ranked team.
While 1-1 is not exactly a reason to be worried, the fact that they've got back-to-back games against Lithuania (and no, none of them will be played in Italy) could make things more complicated than an Avril Lavigne song in early 2000s.
Instead of 2-0 now and potentially 4-0 or 3-1 or 2-2 next time around, they could end up at 1-3 when we do this in March again. Scary.
#20 Latvia (-7)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Poland
Ugh.
We're basing the -7 here on the fact they lost to the Netherlands at home, in Dairis Bertans' final game for the national team.
Coach Sito Alonso did celebrate his first win on Monday, taking down Austria, but we got so used to Latvia winning any and all Qualifiers that we have no clue how to act when they unexpectedly dropped a home game.
There's a new kid on the block: 2007-born Adrians Andzevs, VEF Riga's guard, getting 6 points in his first game with the national team.
#21 Montenegro (-4)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Greece
Go over Portugal's part again to figure out why Montenegro are so low.
Or, you know, don't. Just understand that losing at home is a big no-no, and losing by 21 at home to a direct rival in the battle for the Second Round and the World Cup, that's an even bigger no-no. So a NO-NO.
Need to steal at least one vs. Greece to bounce back in the Power Rankings.
#22 Great Britain (+6)
Record: 1-1 February/March back-to-back: vs. Italy
The +6 here suggests they are actually a better team than we expected, but at the same time, they fumbled everything in the closing seconds against Lithuania, so we couldn't push them a bit higher.
Road win in Iceland was big, but the job doesn't get any easier, as they go home-and-away against Italy next time around.
Nice to see Quinn Ellis taking over, the 22-year-old had 16 points, 8 assists, 4 steals and just 1 turnover against Iceland, bringing some much needed freshness to the locker room. He's legit. Get him on your Fantasy team in February, pls.
#23 Bosnia and Herzegovina (-9)
Record: 0-2 February/March back-to-back: vs. Switzerland
Best 0-2 team, that's all we have to say.
Coach Dario Gjergja said that his team is well aware their crucial games are the upcoming two against Switzerland, while the battles with Türkiye and Serbia they consider just bonuses.
They nearly got one of them, but they went cold in the worst possible moment against Serbia. And really, when you think about it, they were highly competitive for 30 minutes on the road in Istanbul, too, so those bonuses weren't far away.
New look BIH. Same old passion and grit.
#24 Sweden (-4)
Record: 0-2 February/March back-to-back: vs. Estonia
The scary part of Sweden going 0-2 is Ludde Hakanson playing out of his mind with 24.5 points and 10.5 assists per game.
The not-scary-at-all part is them probably having Melvin Pantzar and Simon Birgander back next time around, and that drastically increases their chances of being a 2-2 team soon.
#25 Israel (-10)
Record: 0-2 February/March back-to-back: vs. Cyprus
Ouch.
We always say every point matters in these games, that's why being 0-2 and -34 put Israel down by 10 spots since we last talked here.
There is absolutely no room for error against Cyprus, otherwise the head-to-head against Germany and Croatia could become irrelevant.
Roman Sorkin and Khadeen Carrington were rock solid now, but it will take a lot more depth to challenge Germany and Croatia come July 2026.
#26 Belgium (-1)
Record: 0-2 February/March back-to-back: vs. Finland
It feels like it's going to be a long road back to the Top 20 here. Okay, beating France on the road was always going to be tough, but losing a game at home to Hungary was a heartbreaker.
The math is usually mathing in a way that you have to beat somebody on the road to make it up for your home defeat in events like these. So, they have to beat Finland in Finland or Hungary in Hungary, while also trying not to slip up at home anymore, facing France and Finland.
Math is always mathing, people.
#27 Denmark (-5)
Record: 0-2 February/March back-to-back: vs. Georgia
Yeah that back-to-back against Georgia turns into a firecracker of a battle now, huh...
It's an uphill battle any time you don't have Iffe Lundberg and/or Shavon Shields, but at least they are thinking about the future of the national team, probably fielding the youngest team of the Qualifiers worldwide, with seven of their 11 players used being born after 2001.
#28 Georgia (-18)
Record: 0-2 February/March back-to-back: vs. Denmark
Let's just ignore the record and focus on the heartbreaking news from Georgia. After two decades of regularly putting on the national team jersey, Giorgi Shermadini called it a day.
Seeing somebody else in his #9 jersey will be weird, for sure. Enjoy your national team retirement, Gio!
#29 Switzerland (=)
Record: 0-2 February/March back-to-back: vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Stories will be told of that incredible 9-of-12 shooting, +23 margin first half on the road in Belgrade.
However, those will be stories without a happy ending. Switzerland lost that one, they lost another one to Türkiye, and now know they need to win the head-to-head against BIH in the next Window to keep their hopes of reaching the Second Round alive.
#30 Austria (=)
Record: 0-2 February/March back-to-back: vs. Netherlands
Of the eight quarters played in these two games, only once were they not even close, a 29-17 third stanza against Latvia.
Everything else was fine from Austria, no major concerns when you analyze separate quarters. Now it's a matter of putting four of them together in a same game and picking up a win, otherwise they stay in the 30s here.
#31 Romania (=)
Record: 0-2 February/March back-to-back: vs. Portugal
Okay, no stress after those two defeats to Greece and Montenegro. The learning curve is huge, don't forget Romania were in the Pre-Qualifiers First Round with Luxembourg and Norway not that long ago.
The fact that they pushed Montenegro down to the wire, that's already a huge improvement. But only in a metaphorical way, as there was no improvement in their Power Rankings placement...
#32 Cyprus (=)
Record: 0-2 February/March back-to-back: vs. Israel
Repeat the performance you had against Germany across three of the four quarters, and you could be in for a memorable moment or two when you meet Israel next year.
That's the whole point of being the underdog, right? Improve with each game, with each competition, and then spoil somebody's plans when they aren't expecting it.
If it happens, you'll move out of #32. We promise.
Note: The Power Rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.