Preview: Who will win each group in the First Round?

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MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers are ready to tip off with 32 teams looking ahead to the global showpiece as they do battle in the first window from November 27.

The Road to Qatar has six windows - three in the First Round and three in the Second Round - with a total of 12 tickets from Europe to be handed out for the global showpiece in two year's time.

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Here's everything you need to know about the eight groups.

Group A

Denmark, Georgia, Spain, Ukraine

With the coming back to Earth of 2019 FIBA World Cup champs Spain, Group A certainly looks much more intriguing. Sergio Scariolo has left the sidelines of LaFamilia and handed over the coaching reins to Chus Mateo, and the new playcaller has less talent available than in past years - especially considering Spain didn't even reach the Knockout Phase of FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

Georgia beat the Spaniards in the Group Phase this past summer and will be hungry to do it again in the Qualifiers. Ukraine and Denmark meanwhile will most likely be fighting for the third spot in the group, but it wouldn't be a shock if either have a good game and manage to upset Spain. This group could be fascinating.

The favorite: Spain Key matchup: Ukraine vs Denmark The underdog: Denmark

Players to Watch: Toko Shengelia (GEO), Izan Almansa (ESP), Iffe Lundberg (DEN)

Group B

Greece, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania

Greece finally reached a podium again with their third place at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, and their first podium finish since 2009 will give them more motivation going forward. Montenegro are always a strong side in qualifying and could be poised to grab the top spot.

Portugal meanwhile are coming off a magical run to the EuroBasket 2025 Round of 16 and will be motivated to finally reach their first FIBA World Cup. But Romania go into the campaign with the same dreams.

The favorite: Greece Key matchup: Montenegro vs Portugal The underdog: Romania

Players to Watch: Kostas Papanikolaou (GRE), Marko Simonovic (MNE), Daron Russell (ROU)

Group C

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye

The top two in this group will most likely be decided between Serbia and Türkiye - with both teams having strong home court advantages for their qualifying games. Türkiye will be looking to build on their strong second-placed showing at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 while Serbia hope to rebound after getting upset in the Round of 16.

Group C's other main question will be if Switzerland can actually overcome Bosnia and Herzegovina and snatch grab a spot in the Second Round. That will not be easy given that the Balkan side will be buoyed by reaching the Round of 16 at FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

The favorite: Serbia Key matchup: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Switzerland The underdog: Switzerland

Players to Watch: Vasilije Micic (SRB), Ercan Osmani (TUR), Edin Atic (BIH)

Group D

Great Britain, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania

Italy and Lithuania look like the clear top two teams in this group but both have suffered surprising losses in qualifying campaigns in the past. Iceland actually have two wins over Italy in the last four matchups.

Great Britain for their part saved some face at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 by at least picking up a victory over Montenegro in the final game. That came after losing their first four contests by an average of 33.5 points.

The favorite: Lithuania Key matchup: Iceland vs Italy The underdog: Great Britain

Players to Watch: Arnas Velicka (LTU), Stefano Tonut (ITA), Tryggvi Hlinason (ISL)

Group E

Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Israel

The reigning world and European champions Germany start their quest to repeat their global title in Group E. Alex Mumbru has recovered from his health issues during FIBA EuroBasket 2025 and will look to mold a new team for the Qualifiers.

Croatia and Israel would love to pick up a victory over the champs to improve their overall standing in the qualification campaign. Cyprus for their part gained some important experience from playing in the EuroBasket for the first time but they are still far from making an impact at this stage.

The favorite: Germany Key matchup: Croatia vs Israel The underdog: Cyprus

Players to Watch: Isaac Bonga (GER), Roman Sorkin (ISR), Mario Hezonja (CRO)

Group F

Austria, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland

Latvia will go into Group F with the uncommon status as favorites, and the team must show it can deal with being the hunted. Poland reached the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Quarter-Finals and are always a well-prepared and well-coached team.

And, it would not be a shock if they are standing atop the table after the First Round. The third spot will most likely be decided between Netherlands and Austria with the former being the slight favorite. But Austria have been improving and the teams actually split their home games in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Pre-Qualifiers.

The favorite: Latvia Key matchup: Austria vs Netherlands The underdog: Austria

Players to Watch: Rihards Lomazs (LAT), Mateusz Ponitka (POL), Rasid Mahalbasic (AUT)

Group G

Belgium, Finland, France, Hungary

France will be looking to re-group after getting shocked in the Round of 16 in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 by Georgia. Frederic Fauthoux's team is still the favorites in this group though Finland will be raring to go after their magical ride to the Semi-Finals this past summer.

Belgium failed to get out of the Group Phase this past summer and the Lions will be hungry for their next attempt to reach their first FIBA World Cup. Hungary meanwhile will need a couple of upsets to get into the third spot.

The favorite: France Key matchup: Finland vs France The underdog: Hungary

Players to Watch: Matthew Strazel (FRA), Retin Obasohan (BEL), Olivier Nkamhoua (FIN)

Group H

Czechia, Estonia, Slovenia, Sweden

This is a very balanced group - especially with Slovenia not having Luka Doncic for all the games. The team reached the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Quarter-Finals but they are a different team without their superstar. Czechia suffered through injuries last summer and ended up placing 23rd of 24 teams at EuroBasket. The players will be anxious to get back out there and show why they are ranked 23rd in the world. Estonia have been on the rise and possess the players to surprise in Group H.

Last but not least is the nominal underdog in world number 40 Sweden - who are just one spot behind Estonia. The Swedes famously made the Knockout Phase this past summer and actually gave Türkiye a real game in the Round of 16.

The favorite: Slovenia Key matchup: Czechia vs Slovenia The underdog: Sweden

Players to Watch: Tomas Satoransky (CZE), Aleksej Nikolic (SLO), Kristian Kullamae (EST)

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