FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers Power Rankings, Volume 3

MUNICH (Germany) - With two FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers windows done and this last crunch one now upon us, it's time for the third volume of the Power Rankings.

With co-hosts Israel and Slovenia guaranteed their place and Italy, Latvia and Spain having already secured qualification, there are now just 11 tickets remaining.

Taking into account the results so far, the previous volume of the Power Rankings, the fixtures ahead and any significant coaching and roster news, here's the latest edition.

1. Spain  (-) 

Group Record: 4-0 * Qualified
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 4th

There will be considerable satisfaction that Spain secured their ticket in the second window and are already qualified since they have lost both Alba Torrens and Maria Conde to injury - two of their most prominent ballers. Although even without them, it would be a surprise if they don't go unbeaten with road trips to Romania and Iceland to follow. The roster is packed with a super balance of experience and youth. With massive veteran know-how from Laura Gil and Cristina Ouvina for example, they are in safe hands,

2. Serbia   (-) 

Group Record: 2-0 
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 8th

Serbia face an interesting derby clash against Croatia and while that will be potentially tricky, Marina Maljkovic and her team should have enough - although it might not be as comfortable as the first meeting. They will be missing some players due to injuries but overall, you can expect the core to be in place to carry the reigning champions safely through. Yvonne Anderson, Tina Krajisnik and Aleksandra Crvendakic are likely to lead the way. Their last game is in Bulgaria and you just can't see them slipping up in that one. 

3. Italy   (-) 

Group Record: 4-0 * Qualified
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 16th

There were celebrations in the last window as Italy sealed safe passage to the Final Round and there is a lot of excitement around their potential - not just this summer but especially beyond. With so many top young players rolling off that talent production line, it's a good time for Italian fans. With young gun Matilde Villa in the squad, now Ilaria Panzera has also been added. Plus, with Luxembourg and Switzerland to come in this window, the prospect of a wonderful unbeaten 6-0 campaign is a distinct possibility. Happy days.

A delighted Latvia were one of three nations who got their Final Round ticket in the second window

4. Latvia   (-) 

Group Record: 3-0 * Qualified
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 24th

Latvia have done a great job in this three-team group when there was absolutely no margin for error whatsoever against Sweden and Israel. They had a little bit of a wobble against Israel in the pivotal game in the last window, but came from behind to get the win that sent them to Final Round. Veteran coach Gundars Vetra has done an excellent job, as have the players. Sweden on the road will be a big test and they won't have Elina Babkina to run the show in the backcourt. But with Anete Steinberga, Ieva Pulvere and Kitija Laksa they will want to continue their winning momentum to take it into the spring and summer.

5. Turkey    (+1) 

Group Record: 4-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 11th

Turkey are about as close to qualifying as it gets and even if Poland on the road is in no way a lock, as long as the newly naturalized Teaira McCowan is out on the floor, their opponents will not be able to handle her. She has been unstoppable in EuroCup Women and was a beast in the second window when she debuted. But it's not just about the center, with Tilbe Senyurek, Olcay Cakir Tugut and Pelin Bilgic also reasons for Turkey fans to believe they can be back at Final Round and do better than their last appearance. 

6. France   (-1) 

Group Record: 3-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 6th

Don't panic French fans, the downward move of just one spot is not really a reflection of France themselves, but more the fact that Turkey looks even more of a guarantee to advance. Also because Lithuania on the road will not be easy and even if it was a long time ago, the wheels came off in Ukraine. However, with Marine Johannes balling out right now, Gabby Williams doing Gabby things and Valeriane Vukosavljevic in great form, they should navigate their way back to the Final Round. The talent coming through is also insane and competition for places if they get a ticket as expected will be phenomenal . 

Greece are currently unbeaten and primed to stamp their pass through to the Final Round 

7. Greece  (-) 

Group Record: 4-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 17th

Despite a difficult looking road trip to Portugal which will pose a threat to the eye-catching perfect record so far, there should be more than enough for Greece to seal their spot as group winners. They have one foot and four toes in the Final Round. The presence of the in-form Mariella Fasoula and Artemis Spanou alone provides the foundation to navigate this last window. The celebrations after the win against Great Britain in the previous window more or less showed how important it was. The back-breaking work has been done and now they just have to stay mentally strong and finish the job clinically. 

8. Montenegro   (-) 

Group Record: 2-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 20th

There was some pressure on Montenegro in the last window when they knew they had to effectively win on their travels against the ambitious and dangerous underdogs Denmark. That was a role that Montenegro once played themselves, so they knew being bitten was a potential reality. Losing Markeisha Gatling was far from ideal but the legend that is Jelena Dubljevic returned to save the day as they won 67-60. Now they should finish off Austria to amazingly move to another Final Round. 

9. Belgium  (+2) 

Group Record: 3-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 7th

The Cats have manoeuvred themselves from a difficult start in this Qualifiers campaign to a good and much improved spot. New head coach Rachid Meziane has extended his contract after that successful second window when he debuted at the helm. Emma Meesseman is firing on all cylinders as the January MVP of EuroLeague Women and collectively they should have enough to move past Germany. Although the fly in the ointment is that influential playmaker Julie Allemand is ruled out with an injury and Germany have big confidence after their successful second window. So Belgium need to be switched on from the tip-off.

Nika Baric is scheduled to make a return for this year's co-hosts having played just once previously in this campaign

10. Slovenia   (-1) 

Group Record: 2-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 19th

It continues to be an up and down campaign for the co-hosts who have lost twice to Turkey and putting aside the obvious against Albania, they effectively have one hard fought win in Poland for their efforts. They will welcome Nika Baric back for this window and that will be a welcome boost after the experienced guard missed the last games - some mitigation for the current record. Of course, with their place assured as co-hosts, this is preparation and geared firmly to the summer. They will be expected to beat Poland and take runners-up in the group. One interesting dimension is to see if talented youngster Ajsa Sivka can continue her super trajectory.

11. Hungary   (+4)

Group Record: 2-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 27th

With two losses to Spain on their record without massive basket difference damage, Hungary can expect to advance if they beat Iceland and Romania. Regardless of who finishes bottom and those results being discounted, they should have the numbers to make it to the Final Round. The frontcourt of Cyesha Goree and Virag Kiss will help get it done, while Agnes Studer and Reka Lelik should shine in the backcourt and on the wings. 

12. Czech Republic   (+1) 

Group Record: 2-0
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 22nd

With Ireland next up at home and then another home game against main rivals Netherlands, it looks like Czech Republic are ready to advance. However, there is a big concern that they have to do it without star center Julia Reisingerova who will not be present. From their perspective it is probably a big relief that the Dutch are without their own centerpiece in Emese Hof. It will be nervy, but the point is that the Czech team can even afford a close loss against Netherlands and still qualify. But beating Ireland is the first mission and a lot will hinge on the likes of Veronika Vorackova, Tereza Vyoralova and Renata Brezinova.

13. Slovakia   (-) 

Group Record: 2-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 23rd

Searching for the runners-up spot behind Italy in their group, they will be expected to despatch Switzerland and then Luxembourg, although the latter could provide a sting if Slovakia are not fully focused. With two positive outcomes and a likely healthy basket difference, they are well-placed to grab a ticket. But it may be a lot closer than expected as Coach Juraj Suja will be without Barbora Wrzesinski and Zofia Hruscakova. So a lot of eggs will be in the basket of Ivana Jakubcova and Terezia Palenikova. 

After a very successful second window, Germany are back in business and have a shot at a first Final Round since 2011

14. Germany   (+8) 

Group Record: 3-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 37th

Germany transformed their prospects in a huge way during the second window with a massive win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. It presents them with the opportunity to end their absence of more than a decade from Final Round action. With Leonie Fiebich and Marie Guelich two of the in-form players in Europe right now, they have leaders that can take them there. It will be difficult as they need to ideally beat Belgium at home or at least keep it close, before they go to the absolutely crunch clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. 

15. Israel   (+5) 

Group Record: 1-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 54th

Guaranteed to be at the Final Round in their role as co-hosts, Israel will finish their campaign with a home game against Sweden. In truth, they are probably still figuring out how they lost in Riga against Latvia in the previous window as they were in a great position to win, but couldn't finish the job. Eden Rotberg will be a leader as usual, along with Alyssa Baron and Alexandra Cohen.

16. Lithuania   (+5) 

Group Record: 3-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 34th

It's seven years since Lithuania last competed at the Final Round and while they have the opportunity to get there again, it will be difficult to achieve. Even if they have super experience and talent in ballers such as Kamile Nacickaite, Gintare Petronyte and Giedre Labuckiene, they will probably need to surprise France to get a ticket. A narrow loss and another huge win against Ukraine might just also make it happen. At least they are back in the mix now after last November's win double against Ukraine and Finland, so that in itself is reason to be excited. But have we become too excited having them as taking the last available ticket? We will see!

Bosnia and Herzegovina lost both games in the last window - a far cry from beating Belgium in November 2021

17. Bosnia and Herzegovina  (-10) 

Group Record: 2-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 14th

The second window was a disaster and in the past 12 months the fairytale has turned into a nightmare. Two massive defeats has them on the backfoot and that is the reason for the big fall in the rankings position. The damage done to the basket difference was huge and they simply must beat Germany in their last game to stand a chance of making what would be only their second ever Final Round appearance. The confidence has drained away alarmingly since last summer, but can they get up off the ropes and recover?  Courtney Hurt will need to have one of her huge games, but that won't be enough and she will need some real support and cameos.

18. Croatia   (-) 

Group Record: 2-1
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 29th

Croatia have stayed off the radar a little but could they be about to punch their ticket? It looks 50-50 at the minute and it involves having to claim a derby victory against Serbia or sustaining a narrow loss. They were really good in the last window against Bulgaria with Ana-Marija Begic and Patricia Bura going to absolute work to get them a big win. However, their hopes could be hit from the absence of leading baller and scoring machine Ivana Dojkic who is doubtful due to injury.

19. Portugal   (-2)

Group Record: 2-2
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 51st

Oh how different this ranking could have been had Portugal managed to beat Great Britain in overtime. But that heartbreaking home loss might just be the one that comes back to bite them - which is why they are moved down. Make no mistake though, Portugal do still have this in their own hands and have an opportunity to squeeze out a historic first ever Final Round ticket. Greece at home and Great Britain on the road will be a massive challenge, but if Portugal finally want to prove they can punch at this level, then now is the time.

Great Britain got their first win in overtime against Portugal thanks to some big numbers from Temi Fagbenle

20. Great Britain  (+5) 

Group Record: 1-3
FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike: 21st

It was a potentially disastrous first window with two losses, including to Estonia. Then, it was almost a fatal second window when they came close to losing to Portugal, but eventually dug out a first win in overtime. A loss to Greece later, they do at least have the chance of a 2-2 runners-up record, but to actually progress, that is likely to require a massive double-digit win against Portugal and of course, getting revenge against Estonia and not slipping up again. EuroLeague and EuroCup Women ballers Temi Fagbenle and Holly Winterburn are likely to lead the charge. 

21. Ukraine -9
22. Netherlands +4
23. Sweden -4
24. Poland -1
25. Denmark -5
26. Estonia -2
27. Iceland +5
28. Luxembourg +3
29. Bulgaria -1
30. Romania -3
31. Finland -2
32. Austria +3
33. Ireland +1
34. Switzerland -4
35. North Macedonia -2
36. Albania -

Entirely subjective and is in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.