FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Power Rankings, Volume 1: Slovenia repeat?

 

MUNICH (Germany) - With one month to go until FIBA EuroBasket 2022, it’s time to check in on the 24 teams pursuing glory with Volume 1 of the Power Rankings.

The majority of national federations have already revealed their preliminary rosters to give a better insight as to who we can expect to see competing on the biggest stage in September.

Check back for later editions, where we will take a closer look at the projected paths to EuroBasket glory whilst also taking into account the warm-up games as preparations are ramped up.

Here's the rundown from 24-1:

#24 - NETHERLANDS  

Someone has to be at the bottom, and unfortunately it's the Netherlands. It's been a while since their last competitive win after a tough First Round in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers. But, they earned their right to be amongst the top 24 teams and who doesn't love being an underdog?

#23 - ESTONIA  

Estonia will be making their second EuroBasket appearance in the last 20 years with just one win in the competition since 1993. They had a memorable overtime win over Italy before just making it through the Qualifiers and they have a young core of players growing in confidence on the international stage. Don't discount an upset, or two.

#22 - BULGARIA  

An overtime victory over Italy was the highlight of their Qualifiers campaign as they made it back to EuroBasket for the first time in over a decade. Bulgaria had to edge out North Macedonia for the final spot, and found themselves in another tense battle in the World Cup Qualifiers, albeit with the opposite result. The presence of Sasha Vezenkov will be vital.

#21 - HUNGARY  

Hungary made it through to the Round of 16 stage and gave Serbia a stern test last time around, but will certainly have their work cut out to make it out of the Group Phase in Cologne. Their appearance marks the first time they have competed in successive EuroBasket tournaments since 1969, having beaten the reigning champions along the way.

#20 - GREAT BRITAIN  

GB have pulled off some major scalps in Qualifiers action in recent years, but this will be a level up. They defeated both France and Germany on their way to being the only team to qualify having emerged from the Third Round of the Pre-Qualifiers. The returns of Ovie Soko, Luke Nelson and Teddy Okereafor will be key and they will definitely target the knockout stages.

#19 - UKRAINE  

Ukraine will be a team not to take lightly in Group C action in Milan. They recently gave Spain a major scare during the World Cup Qualifiers and they made it to the Round of 16 phase back in 2017 before falling to eventual winners Slovenia. Sviatoslav Mikhailiuk was one of their top performers last month and they are an underrated team that could make some noise as they likely vie with Great Britain and Estonia for a place in the knockout stages.

#18 - BELGIUM  

A home-and-away double over Serbia isn't too bad for confidence, right? Belgium will take plenty of momentum into the back end of the summer and will feel they are a more experienced and well-rounded unit having only managed a solitary win at the last EuroBasket as they failed to advance. The likes of Retin Obasohan and Ismael Bako continue to elevate their reputations and play major roles on the team.

#17 - MONTENEGRO  

Montenegro won't be forgetting their win over France in a hurry as they delighted their home crowd in Podgorica in the recent World Cup Qualifiers window. Nikola Vucevic is the standout absentee in their preliminary roster but they will be out to make the most of their second chance to compete in the tournament. The Group A outlook certainly presents an opportunity to extend their stay.

#16 - BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA  

Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a tough team to beat with their close-knit group. Dzanan Musa magic sent them through to the Second Round of the World Cup Qualifiers in style and reinforcements may be forthcoming with Jusuf Nurkic included in the preliminary squad, while Luka Garza still awaits a debut. They do also happen to be in the dreaded Group B, though, and some of those matchups are as tough as they come.

#15 - POLAND  

From the impressive run at the 2019 World Cup to missing out on the Second Round of qualifying for the 2023 edition. Poland's early exit came as a surprise and they will want to bounce back under Igor Milicic at EuroBasket. There is clearly a lot of talent in the squad and the possible addition of Jeremy Sochan gives a different dynamic, particularly on the defensive end, so can they put together another big story?

#14 - GEORGIA  

Another team that will relish playing in front of their home supporters. The modern new arena in Tbilisi will provide a stunning backdrop for Group A action, and Georgia have already experienced the winning feeling there after beating Spain last month. Their next meeting, however, will have an entirely different feel. Georgia possess one of the strongest frontcourts with Goga Bitadze set to join the Toko Shengelia-Giorgi Shermadini tandem.

#13 - ISRAEL  

Deni Avdija will be one of the most anticipated players to watch at EuroBasket having lit up the Qualifiers on his senior debut. The return of the 21-year-old Washington Wizard bolsters the firepower of Israel as they look to vanquish the demons from five years ago on home soil. Israel cruised through the EuroBasket Qualifiers before overcoming a bump at the start of their journey towards the World Cup, and now have the test of competing at a major tournament again.

#12 - FINLAND  

The welcome return of Lauri Markkanen in the recent World Cup Qualifiers window gave Finland even more impetus having already been in a strong position without their talisman. They were one of the biggest success stories at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 as they treated their home fans in Helsinki to some thrilling action. A wide-open Group D could provide the platform for another run to the knockout stages if they can back up their recent form.

#11 - CROATIA  

Another team that will be desperate to put FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers disappointment behind them. The returns of Bojan Bogdanovic and Ivica Zubac could not prevent them dropping into the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers. Dario Saric may join them after being included in the squad amid recovery from a long-term injury, and Croatia will be wary of a tricky group in Milan.

#10 - CZECH REPUBLIC  

They failed to make it out of the Group Phase at the last edition, but they responded well at the World Cup in China and have home advantage to count upon this time around in Prague. Tomas Satoransky thrives as a leader for Czech Republic and there is veteran know-how from Vojtech Hruban and Ondrej Balvin amongst others to add vital experience on the big stage with their summer already off to a positive start.

#9 - GERMANY  

Dennis Schroder reminded everyone of his scoring capabilities by dropping a World Cup European Qualifiers record of 38 points last month. Germany's general will lead the way on and off the court as they hope to make it a long tournament on home soil as they start in Cologne before the knockout phase takes place in Berlin. The Wagner brothers are in the initial squad and give their side the added strength that could well be needed in the first week.

#8 - ITALY  

There is experience, and there is plenty of young talents to suggest a bright future for the Azzurri. Danilo Gallinari and Luigi Datome bring leadership qualities in abundance and they will be able to guide the likes of Nico Mannion, Alessandro Pajola and Matteo Spagnolo as the young stars look to break out. There will be more eyes on Simone Fontecchio following his recent NBA opportunity and Italy will be confident of putting on a show in Group C in Milan.

#7 - TURKEY  

The dark horses of the tournament? Turkey have some serious individual talents at their disposal, but the common conundrum will be bringing it all together at a major tournament. Cedi Osman and Furkan Korkmaz join up with the team with Omer Yurtseven already getting more accustomed to national team duty, while Shane Larkin remains one of the best guards in Europe and they will be capable of beating anyone on any given day.

#6 - SPAIN  

The golden rule of international basketball? Never underestimate Spain. Sixth spot feels kind of low for a team that has not finished outside of the top four at EuroBasket since 1997 - with nine medals in the last 10 editions. But, this is a team that no longer has Pau nor Marc Gasol and is also without FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 MVP Ricky Rubio. Opportunity knocks for new national heroes.

#5 - LITHUANIA  

After the major disappointment of missing out on the Olympics for the first time last summer, it will be interesting to see how Lithuania respond at a major tournament. The combination of Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis is always a fascinating tandem as they are arguably the most dominant frontcourt duo in the tournament. Ignas Brazdeikis is a talented new addition to the squad and Lithuania open up against the 2017 champions.

#4 - SERBIA  

They have the Joker in their pack, but it’s strictly business for Serbia - particularly after their recent FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers wobble. Serbia are perennial medal contenders and back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic elevates that status, though don’t disregard the considerable loss of Bogdan Bogdanovic. The added talent of Nemanja Bjelica, Vasilije Micic and Aleksej Pokusevski still puts them in the billing for the title as well fancied contenders.

#3 - GREECE  

Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo. Four brothers, one Greek Freak and a place amongst the top three in the initial rankings. A lot of expectation rests on the shoulders of Giannis, but this is a squad that will have high hopes of ending a long wait to return to the podium at EuroBasket. They will be the team to beat in Group C, and it will be interesting to see how the draw shapes up for them beyond the first phase.

#2 - FRANCE  

There has been plenty of talk about creating a dynasty, and EuroBasket provides the perfect platform for the first step of that plan. The talent pool goes deep, even with some notable absentees, and the onus will be on close friends Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier in leading Les Bleus to what they hope will be a first title together having made their tournament bows after the 2013 triumph. No Victor Wembanyama is also a blow for many hoping to watch him.

#1 - SLOVENIA  

The reigning European champions to repeat? There are 77 reasons why that is a claim to get behind. Luka Doncic is elite and the 'supporting cast' more than proved their value last summer in the Olympics journey. The big question is whether FIBA EuroBasket 2017 MVP Goran Dragic will be locked in for another final hurrah on the international stage after recently coming out of retirement.

*The power rankings are entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.

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