Group by group: FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers

MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers will see 38 nations taking part and only co-hosts Slovenia and Israel are guaranteed their respective places in the Final Round of the competition.

That leaves 36 teams fighting it out for the 14 tickets left on offer and here's how each group is shaping up ahead of the big tip-off.

Group A: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, North Macedonia

Julie Allemand will pull the strings for Group A favorites Belgium

Team to beat: Belgium will be expected to top the group by most people as they took bronze earlier this summer at the 2021 edition. However, they do have a new coach in Valery Demory and Bosnia and Herzegovina are a nation on the rise and are a dangerous opponent.

X-Factor: Germany could be the ones that make life difficult in this group - probably depending on if they can get their full team on the court at some point. They have many talented rising stars and can be awkward to play against.

Players to watch: Emma Meesseman (BEL), Jonquel Jones (BIH), Luisa Geiselsoder (GER), Andzelika Mitrasinovik (MKD), Julie Allemand (BEL)

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
6.	Belgium	3.	BEL	642.3
27.	Bosnia and Herzegovina	18.	BIH	248.9
40.	Germany	23.	GER	146.8
79.	North Macedonia	39.	MKD	76.8

Group B: Finland, France, Lithuania, Ukraine

Alina Iagupova of Ukraine is always capable of winning a game almost single-handedly with her  brilliance

Team to beat: After five consecutive runners-up finishes, plus that bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, the depth and quality of France mean they should finish top of the pile. They have a new playcaller in Jean-Aime Toupane and he is tasked with not only ensuring they safely qualify but also taking the title in 2023.

X-Factor: Alina Iagupova. Are France most in danger from Ukraine's basketball phenomenon single-handedly winning a game and causing the upset with a trademark spectacular show?

Players to watch: Marine Johannes (FRA), Alina Iagupova (UKR), Gintare Petronyte (LTU), Awak Kuier (FIN), Gabby Williams (FRA)

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
5.	France	2.	FRA	645.8
26.	Ukraine	17.	UKR	259.1
33.	Lithuania	21.	LTU	211.2
64.	Finland	35.	FIN	95.0

Group C: Hungary, Iceland, Romania, Spain

Alba Torrens will be huge for Spain in helping them navigate the group and especially a tough first game in Hungary

Team to beat: After an underwhelming 2021 when they did not live up to expectations as hosts of the last edition of the Women's EuroBasket or at Tokyo 2020, Spain has entrusted UMMC playcaller Miguel Mendez to pick up the baton.

X-Factor: Game one of the campaign. It could be huge. Spain are without marquee star Astou Ndour, it is the first game at the helm for Coach Mendez and it is Hungary's best chance of catching the favorites cold. 

Players to Watch: Alba Torrens (ESP), Bernadett Hatar (HUN), Sara Run Hinriksdottir (ISL), Annemarie Godri-Parau (ROM), Raquel Carrera (ESP)

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
2.	Spain	1.	ESP	685.1
28.	Hungary	19.	HUN	246.0
47.	Romania	25.	ROU	129.9
68.	Iceland	37.	ISL	92.7

Group D: Albania, Poland, Slovenia, Turkey

With the focus on Slovenia and Turkey, could Poland cause some upsets under the watchful eye of Maros Kovacik?

Team to beat: Co-hosts Slovenia will be favorites, meaning Turkey will also still be in a good position to qualify behind them if it goes to expectation. Slovenia already have offensive power, but should solidify their defense with new head coach Giorgios Dikiaoulakos, although a worrying injury to Eva Lisec will hamper them in the first window.

X-Factor: Poland. All eyes are on Slovenia and Turkey but could Maros Kovacik and his team sneak up on the rails? Nobody is talking about them, they have no standout go-to player, but the teamwork and transition of blooding some new young players and continuously improving means they have to be watched closely.

Players to watch: Teja Oblak (SLO), Pelin Bilgic (TUR), Klea Verri (ALB), Eva Lisec (SLO), Weronika Telenga (POL)

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
10.	Turkey	5.	TUR	587.2
25.	Slovenia	16.	SLO	279.7
39.	Poland	22.	POL	148.8
102.	Albania	43.	ALB	63.0

Group E: Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia

Nevena Jovanovic is one of only five Serbia players in their squad for the first window who won gold in Valencia

Team to beat: As reigning champions, Serbia will be the big favorite to advance and continue the defense of their cherished title, even if they will have less than half the roster that won the silverware for the first window. And, even if they don't have retired legends Sonja Vasic and Jelena Brooks to call upon.

X-Factor: Will Croatia blow hot or cold? Perhaps more than any other team around, you never quite know what you will get with Stipe Bralic's team. They can be stone-cold, but can also light it up in a big way with some free-scoring talents and that makes the derby games with Serbia fascinating. Especially this first one.

Players to watch: Tina Krajisnik (SRB), Ivana Dojkic (CRO), Borislava Hristova (BUL), Nevena Jovanovic (SRB), Ana-Marija Begic (CRO)

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
9.	Serbia	4.	SRB	588.1
29.	Croatia	20.	CRO	240.8
45.	Bulgaria	24.	BUL	133.5

Group F: Austria, Denmark, Montenegro, Russia

It's not just about Maria Vadeeva, since frontcourt partner Raisa Musina often plays her best ball with Russia

Team to beat: Russia look capable of a potentially unbeaten run if they can continue their momentum from an impressive campaign earlier this year at the 2021 edition, led by the amazing leadership of Maria Vadeeva.

X-Factor: Does Montenegro have enough talent and depth to split their games with Russia and especially now they don't have veteran ace Jelena Dubljevic any longer?

Players to watch: Maria Vadeeva (RUS), Markeisha Gatling (MNE), Anja Fuchs-Robetin (AUT), Maria Jespersen (DEN), Raisa Musina (RUS)

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
12.	Russia	7.	RUS	441.8
20.	Montenegro	11.	MNE	319.0
57.	Denmark	30.	DEN	104.6
61.	Austria	33.	AUT	101.4

Group G: Estonia, Greece, Great Britain, Portugal

If Great Britain want to meet expectations of a return to the event in 2023, Temi Fagbenle will be a big factor

Team to beat: Great Britain missed out on 2021 despite delivering a historic Semi-Finals spot two years earlier in Belgrade. Now they are being tipped for a return, buoyed by having a glut of players competing together with London Lions and making more history in EuroCup Women.

X-Factor: There is every chance that despite most people expecting Great Britain to shade it, Greece could be the ones that claim the top spot. The margins could be so tight in those two games and every single possession and basket will come into play. One bad quarter for either team in those games and it could really ruin their entire campaign.

Players to watch: Temi Fagbenle (GBR), Maria Fasoula (GRE), Sofia Silva (POR), Anna Gret-Asi (EST), Cheridene Green (GBR)

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
15.	Greece	9.	GRE	361.8
21.	Great Britain	12.	GBR	309.2
52.	Portugal	28.	POR	121.4
62.	Estonia	34.	EST	100.7

Group H: Italy, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Switzerland

Good things happen for Italy most when Cecilia Zandalasini is on the floor

Team to beat: Italy had a bit of a nightmare in Valencia and missed out on the Quarter-Finals yet again, but the 2023 draw has been kind to them, or on paper at least. They should claim pole position with the number of talents they have - all of whom play club basketball in their homeland. A real rarity.

X-Factor: Slovakia are the team that loves being the underdogs and continues to bite, campaign after campaign. Can they really do it again and upset the odds and book yet another place at the flagship event?

Five Players to Watch: Cecilia Zandalasini (ITA), Barbora Balintova (SVK), Nadia Mossong (LUX), Marielle Giroud (SUI), Francesca Pan (ITA)

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
13.	Italy	8.	ITA	387.0
23.	Slovakia	14.	SVK	284.2
56.	Luxembourg	29.	LUX	104.8
58.	Switzerland	31.	SUI	104.3

Group I: Belarus, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Ireland

Anastasiya Verameyenka, Alex Bentley and Maryia Papova will carry the fight on the court for Belarus

Team to beat: After making everyone sit up and take notice with that epic run to the Semi-Finals in Valencia, Belarus have momentum and with Alex Bentley, Anastasiya Verameyenka and Maryia Papova, they have three big-time players that should help them get it done.

X-Factor: Czech Republic can't be ruled out as possible group winners, but it is maybe Netherlands that are the real 'X-Factor' in this pool. They have a new coach in Julie Barennes of Basket Landes and in the 2021 Qualifiers, managed to eke out a three-way tie against Hungary and Slovakia. They could be a real fly in the ointment for Belarus and Czech Republic. Maybe there will be another three-way tie?

Players to Watch: Anastasiya Verameyenka (BLR), Veronika Vorackova (CZE), Emese Hof (NED), Claire Melia (IRE), Alex Bentley (BLR)

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
11.	Belarus	6.	BLR	491.0
22.	Czech Republic	13.	CZE	307.2
49.	Netherlands	26.	NED	128.3
60.	Ireland	32.	IRL	102.1

Group J: Israel, Latvia, Sweden

The leadership, strength and production of Anete Steinberga will be priceless for Latvia

Team to beat: Latvia had to endure real heartache earlier this year when they were denied a place at the 2021 edition by a last gasp basket from Greece, who clinched the last remaining ticket. A combination of the need to make amends and a good mix of veteran experience, emerging leaders and young talent bodes well.

X-Factor: Sweden's transition. They handed opportunities at the previous edition to some young players and now that legendary sister act Elin and Frida Eldebrink have retired from national team duties, how will that transition evolve and can they do enough to still get the wins needed to progress?

Players to Watch: Anete Steinberga (LAT), Regan Magarity (SWE), Eden Rotberg (ISR), Klara Lundquist (SWE), Kitija Laksa (LAT)

WORLD RANK	COUNTRY	EUROPE RANK	IOC	CURRENT POINTS
18.	Sweden	10.	SWE	352.4
24.	Latvia	15.	LAT	279.9
50.	Israel	27.	ISR	126.8

FIBA