MUNICH (Germany) - The stakes are high as 24 teams prepare to battle it out in the Second Round of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, with only half of them set to secure their place at next year's showpiece.
With six groups of four teams, the top two nations from each group will advance to the Final Round, joining the four automatically qualified hosts to complete the 16-team lineup.
For those finishing third and fourth, their dreams of reaching FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 will come to an end.
The Second Round will unfold across the November window and the final window of the Qualifiers, with plenty at stake as teams battle for the remaining tickets.
But who has what it takes to get the job done?
Here's our group-by-group preview of what promises to be an exciting race to qualification, with the full game schedule available here.
Group I
Israel, Montenegro, Poland, Türkiye
Türkiye have appointed Frederic Dusart as their new head coach, but the Galatasaray playcaller faces a tough introduction in what looks to be a fiercely competitive group. Much of Türkiye's hopes will rest on the shoulders of Kennedy Burke and Sevgi Uzun.
Poland enter the Second Round unbeaten and will be tough to overcome, particularly with Kamila Borkowska and Stephanie Mavunga posing major threats inside.
Israel also boast a perfect 6-0 record from the First Round, led by the outstanding Daniel Raber, who has been putting up huge numbers.
And don't count out Montenegro. While they may be considered the underdogs, they have never missed a Final Round since making their debut in 2011. Write them off at your peril!
The favorite: Türkiye Key matchup: Israel vs Poland The underdog: Montenegro
The star: Kennedy Burke (Türkiye) Key question: On paper, this is one of the closest groups to call. So if there are tight games as expected, which nations have the clutch players to get the job done during crunch time? Basket difference could also be vital.
Group J
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Spain
Spain will be strong favorites after winning a bronze medal at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup recently, but they will have to be locked in because their opponents can hurt anyone on their day. All eyes will be on rising star Iyana Martin. Bulgaria went 5-1 in the First Round and are dangerous with Khaalia Hillsman and Borislava Hristova.
Croatia have naturalized the in-form Khadijiah Cave, and she will form a partnership with Ana-Marija Begic inside, while Ivana Dojkic is a classy backcourt operator. Czechia will lean on Eliska Joklova and could be boosted by the return of standout center Julia Reisingerova, who missed the World Cup with an injury.
The favorite: Spain Key matchup: Croatia vs Czechia The underdog: Bulgaria
The star: Iyana Martin (Spain) Key question: Bulgaria have been dark horses of the Qualifiers in recent years and have just come up short. But do they now have the depth beyond their one-two headline punch to close the gap and finally secure an overdue ticket to the big show?
Group K
Austria, Italy, Latvia, Slovenia
Arguably the most fascinating group of all, with underdogs Austria having been sensational in the First Round. With a 5-1 record and talented players like Sarah Sagerer, Alexia Allesch and Sigrid Koizar, they will be no pushovers. The other three teams look so well matched, and both Latvia and Slovenia already know each other very well from the first phase.
Both won on their home floors, and those will be monumental battles in the rematches. Meanwhile, Italy made positive waves at the Women's World Cup and are arguably favorites. But even with Cecilia Zandalasini and Lorela Cubaj leading the way, every win will need to be hard-earned.
The favorite: Italy Key matchup: Latvia vs Slovenia The underdog: Austria
The star: Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy) Key question: Latvia, Slovenia and Italy look so well matched, and while they focus on each other, will it be Austria who truly determine who advances? If they manage to repeat their First Round heroics and take a victory (or two), it could sink the chances of the other nations in the group.
Group L
Greece, Netherlands, Serbia, Slovakia
All nations competed in the First Round, with Serbia the only team to go undefeated. They will be favored to advance but must play well in a tricky group. The forward duo of Masa Jankovic and Ivana Raca will be vital. In contrast, the Netherlands might be expected to finish bottom of Group L but are always a threat with Emese Hof and Laura Cornelius.
Greece have a new face on the sideline in Stella Kaltsidou, and the playcaller can rely on huge experience and a proven frontcourt partnership of Artemis Spanou and Mariella Fasoula. Slovakia have the capacity to compete hard but will need all their top performers to ball out.
The favorite: Serbia Key matchup: Greece vs Slovakia The underdog: Netherlands
The star: Mariella Fasoula (Greece) Key question: Slovakia are perhaps one of the most unpredictable teams around, and depending on who they get out onto the floor, do they hold the key? They don't have many headline names, but they work hard, can be tough to beat and often go under the radar.
Group M
France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Ukraine
Fresh from making history by contesting their first-ever FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Final in 2026, France are expected to be runaway winners of the group. Meanwhile, Luxembourg are favorites to finish at the bottom of the heap, despite causing a surprise and making the Second Round against all expectations.
That leaves Great Britain and Ukraine as the two unknowns. The former have a great opportunity ahead, and much will hinge on how they cope without Holly Winterburn. They will have to raise their game collectively if they want to get the job done against a highly capable Ukraine led by Alina Iagupova and Miram Uro-Nile.
The favorite: France Key matchup: Great Britain vs Ukraine The underdog: Luxembourg
The star: Alina Iagupova (Ukraine) Key question: Is there a plot twist of any kind in this group, or is it really boiling down to a two-game shootout between Great Britain and Ukraine to see who joins France in next year's flagship tournament?
Group N
Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Portugal
Germany will enter these Qualifiers on a high after making their way to the Women's World Cup Semi-Finals on home soil. They have some big hitters to fuel them in Leonie Fiebich, Frieda Buhner and Luisa Geiselsoder. But Hungary also shone in Berlin and will be eager to challenge through the likes of Reka Lelik and Dorka Juhasz.
Denmark have their best-ever lineup to call upon, with Julianna Okosun on fire and the ever-impressive Maria Jespersen. Meanwhile, Portugal have made a coaching change and will need to find a higher offensive gear.
The favorite: Germany Key matchup: Germany vs Portugal The underdog: Denmark
The star: Dorka Juhasz (Hungary) Key question: Have Denmark or Portugal got enough in their ranks to put pressure on favorites Germany and Hungary by taking one or two shock victories?
FIBA