Preview: Who are the favorites to qualify from each Second Round group?

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MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers tip off the Second Round with 24 teams ready to do battle in the fourth window on August 27.

The Road to Qatar is now down to three windows with 12 places up for grabs for next summer. The 24 teams are separated into four groups of six, with the top three advancing to the FIBA World Cup. Here's how they look.

Second Round

VOTE: Who will qualify for the World Cup from Europe?

The winning formula: How likely is each team to qualify for the World Cup?

Group I

Spain, Ukraine, Montenegro, Portugal, Greece, Georgia

After the disappointment of last year’s EuroBasket, Spain have started their road to recovery with a solid First Round, with their only blemish coming in the final hurdle against Georgia. They enter the fourth window with a 5-1 record, and Ukraine is also in good shape, led by scorer Svi Mykhailiuk and the returning Alex Len.

Montenegro will be hungry to progress, and they have a strong team that will suit up for the Second Round, with Yogi Ferrell at the helm, while Portugal comes in with a 3-3 record but is bolstered by the return of Neemias Queta, who was outstanding in guiding his side to the Round of 16 at EuroBasket. Georgia and Greece are certainly not out of the running, with 3-3 records in what will be an interesting and well-balanced group.

Favorites: Spain In control: Ukraine, Montenegro In the race: Portugal, Greece, Georgia Danger zone: No one

Players to Watch: Hugo Gonzalez (ESP), Svi Mykhailiuk (UKR), Yogi Ferrell (MNE), Neemias Queta (POR), Tyler Dorsey (GRE), Tornike Shengelia (GEO)

Group J

Türkiye, Italy, Serbia, Lithuania, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Türkiye were a flawless 6-0 in the First Round and unsurprisingly head into the upcoming window as favorites, but in a tough Group J that also features a strong Italy side, who are in a strong position at 5-1, and will boast Simone Fontecchio and Nico Mannion in the upcoming window. A Serbia team featuring Nikola Jokic will always be in contention.

Lithuania won’t have Jonas Valanciunas or Matas Buzelis this time around, but will still have talent in abundance, with veteran Donatas Motiejunas returning and emerging star Azuolas Tubelis. Iceland have been known to throw in surprises, with the Lithuanians being on the receiving end, and there is still fight left in Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite entering the Second Round with a 2-4 record.

Favorites: Türkiye, Italy In control: Serbia In the race: Lithuania, Iceland Danger zone: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Players to Watch: Cedi Osman (TUR), Simone Fontecchio (ITA), Nikola Jokic (SRB), Azuolas Tubelis (LTU), Tryggvi Hlinason (ISL), Jusuf Nurkic (BIH)

Group K

Poland, Croatia, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Israel

A group with a lot of firepower and proven big-tournament experience will see one big name miss the plane to Qatar. Poland enters the group unbeaten but will face world champions Germany and motivated Croatia, who, after missing EuroBasket last year, are eager to bounce back.

Latvia made a lot of noise at the last FIBA World Cup in 2023, finishing fifth, but this time, they have a tough task with Poland (6-0), Germany (5-1) and Croatia (5-1) above them. Netherlands and Israel are in an even tougher spot at 2-4, but the Dutch have some strong scorers in their lineup, led by Yannick Franke. Israel, meanwhile, will be looking to their duo of Yam Madar and Roman Sorkin to upset the balance.

Favorites: Poland, In control: Croatia, Germany In the race: Latvia Danger zone: Netherlands, Israel

Players to Watch: Jordan Loyd (POL), Mario Hezonja (CRO), Dennis Schroder (GER), Rihards Lomazs (LAT), Keye Van Der Vuurst de Vries (NED), Yam Madar (ISR)

Group L

France, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Slovenia, Hungary

France will be hot favorites in Group L, with Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert leading their frontcourt, and Finland will also feel good about their chances after retaining the services of Lauri Markkanen.

Meanwhile, Slovenia come into the Second Round without Luka Doncic and while strong, are still a different side without their superstar, which will only fuel the hopes of their opponents: Estonia, Sweden and Hungary.

Estonia have been on the rise and have enough talent to cause a surprise, Hungary enjoyed a solid start to their Qualifiers campaign, while Sweden won three games on the bounce to sneak into the Second Round after losing the first three fixtures.

Favorites: France In control: Finland In the race: Estonia, Sweden, Slovenia, Hungary Danger zone: No one

Players to Watch: Victor Wembanyama (FRA), Lauri Markkanen (FIN), Maik-Kalev Kotsar (EST), Pelle Larsson (SWE), Klemen Prepelic (SLO), Zoltan Perl (HUN)

FIBA