MUNICH (Germany) - It's almost time for the landmark 40th edition of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 to drop and that means an update on who is looking like favorites to make the latter stage of the competition.
The tension and excitement is building nicely and it looks to be an open race for the podium and for a place at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments.
Taking into account the results and performances in preparation games, the draw and any recent roster updates, here's how our Expert Panel are calling it.
1. Belgium (+1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th
The defending champs are back on top! Yes, the Cats' 2023 winning band is back together after an unexpected return for Kyara Linskens who had previously ruled herself out of contention. With Julie Vanloo and Julie Allemand also in situ, it's looking like another golden edition - especially with rivals France losing another potential starter.
But there's still a potentially large fly in the ointment! In the 34 years since the dominance of the Soviet Union ended, there's only been one successful title defense (Spain 2017 and 2019) so back to backs don't happen often!
2. France (-1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 3rd
For 12 months after their brilliance at Paris 2024, France have looked an absolute lock for silverware. Even when key ballers were unavailable heading into prep, their status as favorites was retained. But their starters have been falling like dominoes and it was devastating to hear of Marine Fauthoux suffering an ACL injury.
That surely now tips the balance slightly in favour of Belgium. Although the positive is that with players like Iliana Rupert, Janelle Salaun and Valeriane Ayayi, as well as their suffocating team defense, a podium spot is incoming.
3. Spain (-)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 5th
They've looked impressive during preparation and their ability to throw a defensive blanket over their opponents remains their biggest weapon. Few teams have figured out how to cause Spain headaches and Miguel Mendez will surely be happy where his team sits as they head into a tournament with the chance of a medal lying in clear sight.
It won't be easy without injured trio Maria Conde, Maite Cazorla and Queralt Casas, but the rising stars and are looking more and more capable of picking up the baton. Look no further than Raquel Carrera, Iyana Martin and Awa Fam. Spain are reloading with a new generation and on paper it has the talent to make a deep, deep run.
4. Slovenia (-)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 22nd
History could happen with a first-ever Quarter-Finals slot, but they can dream of even going beyond that. The list of upsides is long. From a veteran and highly respected coach, to a renowned leader and captain in Teja Oblak, a fearsome two-punch in the paint by Eva Lisec and Jessica Shepard, while Zala Friskovec and Ajsa Sivka are quality.
Preparation camp has been extensive and the games they have played have showcased their qualities well. They have to hit a high gear from the tip as it's a killer group and they don't have huge depth, but what an opportunity!
5. Italy (+1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 16th
The impact of Cecilia Zandalasini stepping into the team has been huge and since she joined preparation, Italy have excelled. But will they breathe fire in Bologna? It hinges on whether Zandi can add consistency to her campaign and lead at both ends of the floor. If she does, the outlook is bright for a top five finish in Piraeus.
The Italian frontcourt is solid and durable. Jasmine Keys, Sara Madera and Lorela Cubaj have a platform to show they can impact at this level. Keep an eye on Costanza Verona who's underrated by many in the playmaker role.
6. Germany (-1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 13th
The momentum and feel-good factor has subsided in past weeks with the withdrawal of key players and a mixed preparation points towards a podium push looking more unlikely. Home court advantage in Hamburg might help them squeeze out a Quarter-Finals place, but it will still be a tough mission. The pressure on Leonie Fiebich is huge.
If Germany's marquee player finds the hot-hand they will probably advance and if she doesn't, they won't. Too simple a formula? Maybe. Watch out for young gun Frieda Buhner who had 30 points and 12 boards in a prep game.
7. Czechia (+1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 18th
Despite some indifferent preparation results, Czechia will surely be confident of advancing beyond the first phase. They have home fans behind them, a nice frontcourt duo in Julia Reisingerova and Emma Cechova, point guard Petra Holesinska who was superb in 2023, and also a several players arriving after EuroLeague Women success.
This includes Veronika Vorackova and Tereza Vyoralova, while Julie Pospisilova was a central part of the BAXI Ferrol side that made a historic run to the EuroCup Women Final. If Czechia deal with the pressure, they should fly.
8. Greece (+3)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 21st
A generous move up for Greece? Perhaps it is, but it feels like the tide has turned for the co-hosts in the past week. The addition of the naturalized Robyn Parks is a game-changer and that three-pronged punch with Mariella Fasoula and Artemis Spanou could be enough to see them scrape into the Quarter-Finals after a slow start in prep.
With Parks in the lineup, they blew out Lithuania. Let's face it, it's boiling down to to one game - the monumental matchup with arch rivals Türkiye. Arguably a coin-toss, does Parks and home support give Greece the edge now?
9. Türkiye (-2)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 17th
It's probably tough to take for Türkiye having to suffer a drop outside the top eight, but across preparation they have struggled to impress and suffered losses to France, Lithuania and a very short-handed Germany. With Teaira McCowan on the court they will be a different team, but will it be enough to get the win they need to advance?
Their chances of success could lean on guard Sevgi Uzun brining her skills to the table and the supporting cast around her and McCowan. It will be intense, nerve-shredding and a battle when they meet Greece in Group A.
10. Serbia (-1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 8th
Even for a legend like Marina Maljkovic, it looks a big ask for her to take Serbia towards the podium for a third time while rebuilding and recalibrating everything about this team. The loss of veterans since 2023 has been huge and it will take its toll at some point - possibly now. There are a staggering seven players retired or injured for this one.
Yvonne Anderson and Jovana Nogic still provide a classy backcourt, but they could be low on frontcourt options and lacking depth. Write them off at your peril, but nothing since Paris 2024 suggests they're podium contenders.
11. Lithuania (-1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 45th
Is the Lithuanian bubble about to burst prematurely? After the high of the Qualifiers and their first return since 2015, the preparation games have thrown up more questions than answers - especially a huge loss to Greece in their last one. But don't write them off. The ingredients they had when almost beating Belgium in February remain.
All eyes will be fixated on Juste Jocyte and Laura Juskaite. But success will likely be determined on whether Giedre Labuckiene, Laura Miskiniene, Egle Sventoraite and returning veteran Kamile Nacickaite can provide support.
12. Portugal (+1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 40th
Whisper it quietly! Debutantes Portugal could be the center of attention on their first time at the big show! Their preparation has been impressive - losing by only single digits to podium challengers Spain and Slovenia, while beating Serbia and then Switzerland twice. There's a huge buzz, energy and excitement at these first steps.
Marcia Da Costa and Sofia Silva have veteran expertise and will lead, while the beauty of this team is that so many different players have netted double-digit scoring returns in the friendlies. That makes them tougher to slow down.
13. Sweden (+1)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 25th
Well-drilled under the watchful eye of Kevin Taylor Lundgren, it's so tough to gauge where the realistic ambitions stand for Sweden. It's a lot to ask of Klara Lundquist to repeat her phenomenal displays and numbers from the Qualifiers. Especially as she can expect more defensive attention now that she is top of everyone's scouting report.
If they do pull it off and defy the rankings to make the Quarter-Finals, it's just as likely to be down to the experience and know-how of Frida Eldebrink, Ellen Nystrom and Louice Halvarsson. The Great Britain game is huge.
14. Great Britain (-2)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 20th
It's been a relatively bleak period of preparation for the Brits, both in terms of results and performances. It doesn't bode well for what now lies in wait. The addition of experienced star Temi Fagbenle into the mix could be transformational and change the dynamic completely, but it looks like they have it all to do if they want to progress.
While Fagbenle is capable of racking up double-doubles and Holly Winterburn is a momentum-shifter and possible game-winner, the real question is whether the team can slow opponents down and make every game a slow grind.
15. Montenegro (-)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 19th
The absence of Natasha Mack is an absolute hammer-blow for Montenegro and it means they can probably forget about advancing to the Quarter-Finals. While not impossible, there is nobody who can get close to making up for the athleticism, scoring and rebounding she would have brought in the same way as two years ago.
The positive is that Jelena Skerovic will still have her ballers well-drilled and playing hard-nosed team basketball, which gives them the best shot of creating a surprise or two. Marija Lekovic and Milica Jovanovic will be key.
16. Switzerland (-)
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 49th The preparation games have served to underline that Switzerland are the biggest underdogs in the competition by quite some distance. While that was already the general feeling after thee joy of their qualification earlier this year, a failure to win any prep games or even get that close to their various opponents might have alarm bells ringing.
But women's basketball is famous for upsets down the years, so, who knows? But to get a first win in almost 70 years, the stars really must all align. They need to shoot the lights out and hope their opponents have a nightmare. *The Power Rankings are out together by our Expert Panel. They are entirely subjective and are in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.