MUNICH (Germany) - The opening window of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers First Round has almost arrived and with five days of action to enjoy, there are plenty of must watch matchups lying in wait.
We've picked out some of the best, from those involving the 27 nations fighting it out for the 17 Second Round tickets on offer - as well as games taking place between the four FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 co-hosts.
The full list of fixtures and tip-off times is available, here.
Now for the eight games that you just can't miss.
Greece vs Croatia
Time: Wednesday, November 12 - 18:00 CET Venue: Indoor Sports Hall 'Vasilis Flegkas', Kozani (GRE)
Co-hosts this past summer, Greece will have to qualify this time around and they will be one of the favorites to navigate their way out of the First Round. Especially with Eleanna Christinaki in great form in EuroLeague Women with Olympaicos SFP and Mariella Fasoula tearing it up in EuroCup Women with BOA Besiktas.
Croatia are eager for a return having missed out on the 2025 event and much will potentially depend on them getting some big-hitters back into the senior set-up. They are always competitive and surely the likes of Mihaela Lazic and Adrijana Cvtikovic will being the noise again like they did in the previous Qualifiers
Slovenia vs Latvia
Time: Wednesday, November 12 - 18:00 CET Venue: Kodeljevo Hall, Ljubljana (SLO)
With new head coach David Gaspar at the helm, Slovenia are turning the page after their poor showing at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025. They missed the Quarter-Finals having been tipped to challenge for the podium. Teja Oblak, Jessica Shepard and Zala Friskovec should lead the way as usual.
Latvia just missed out on the last Final Round and ooze experience in the likes of Kitija Laksa and Anete Steinberga so will be out to make a big noise and make amends by qualifying this time. There is no doubt that this could be one of the best matchups of the Qualifiers.
Slovakia vs Poland
Time: Wednesday, November 12 - 18:00 CET Venue: GOPASS Arena, Bratislava (SVK)
Two nations who only just missed the 2025 party, they could both be strong contenders to make the 2027 edition and that makes for a potentially exciting clash. Slovakia have naturalized Kyra Lambert which will help, although the likes of Terezia Palenikova and Ivana Jakubcova could still be the ones to shine.
Poland took great steps forward in the last Qualifiers and were unfortunate not to take a ticket. It included a famous win against reigning champions Belgium on the road. And, if Stephanie Mavunga is again in situ, they have a do-it-all player that can lead their challenge again.
Sweden vs Lithuania
Time: Thursday, November 13 - 19:00 CET Venue: Stadium Arena, Norrkoping (SWE)
The 2027 co-hosts will go up against each other having both shown positive signs at the last edition they are moving forward and ready to challenge again. Even if qualification is not on the line, it should still be an intriguing matchup. Sweden's Klara Holm is in the form of her career and remains a marquee baller for all competitions.
But of course Lithuania have their own magician in Juste Jocyte. A teammate of Holm at Spar Girona, if they both end up on the court, it's going to be an epic battle and one that is usuallty played out daily on the practice floor.
Ukraine vs Bulgaria
Time: Saturday, November 15 - 17:30 CET Venue: Rimi Olympic Centre, Riga (LAT)
This could be an intriguing one since Ukraine have not hit the heights in recent years and have missed the past three editions, while Bulgaria have not featured since 1993. The former have always been super-reliant on the phenomenal Alina Iagupova but now have to look to the future, even if the Valencia star is still influential.
If Bulgaria can continue to be inspired by Khaalia Hillsman who they naturalized for the last Qualifiers, then they might be in with a shot of ending their mammoth 33 year Final Round drought. The forward was a super addition and they also have the scoring machine Borislava Hristova who is always a game-winner in waiting.
Serbia vs Portugal
Time: Saturday, November 15 - 18:00 CET Venue: Ranko Zeravica Sports Hall, Belgrade (SRB)
It's all change for Serbia who wave goodbye to the legendary Marina Maljkovic after 13 years at the helm and having delivered history with two titles and also a podium finish on Olympic debut. It could be ballers such as Jovana Nogic and Ivana Raca are likely to continue carrying the torch for the new regime. Portugal will stride into these Qualifiers having also attained history when they made Final Round for the first time ever at the 2025 edition. They also took a historic win too. But now they have to start over and so it's more work for veteran duo Sofia da Silva and Marcia da Costa - as well as relying on the scoring power of Carolina Rodrigues.
Lithuania vs Belgium
Time: Sunday, November 16 - 15:00 CET Venue: Twinsbet Arena, Vilnius (LTU)
The co-hosts will clash in Vilnius having also played each other in the 2025 Qualifiers when Lithuania almost pipped the champions before losing out by a solitary point. Hopefully another classic will be cooked up, with the home side still riding high from their first Final Round in a decade and making the Quarter-Finals.
Belgium will be determined to continue the momentum of their miraculous comeback fairytale this past summer when they somehow beat Spain to retain their crown. As well as Emma Meesseman, they will look to Julie Allemand and Julie Vanloo to continue their great backcourt work and leadership.
Finland vs Sweden
Time: Sunday, November 16 - 17:30 CET Venue: Energia Areena, Vantaa (FIN)
The Nordic neighbors will clash in Vantaa as the co-hosts get stuck into their preparations for the big show in 2027. For Finland, even the journey will feel special as they start getting excited about ending 40 years away from Final Round.
Finland have the brilliant Awak Kuier to inspire them and the Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring center will no doubt be a poster player for their campaign and the main event. But what will matter most is that the Susiladies build the supporting cast around her.
FIBA