MUNICH (Germany) - The curtain will soon be raised on the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers and so it's a perfect time to tap into the knowledge of our expert basketball panel and find out how things might go down. 

We take a look at which nations are most likely to punch their ticket with a flawless record, who could come up short and miss out altogether, as well as which ballers you should put onto your watch list. 

Azania Stewart is a former Great Britain player who appeared at multiple editions of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket. as well as the Olympics for her country. 

Anais Lopez is a publicist, journalist and a social media manager with almost 19k followers on X.

Marco Crespi is an experienced Italian playcaller who has coached at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket with both his home country and Sweden.

Paul Nilsen is FIBA's specialist for women's basketball globally. 

1. Which nation is most likely to go undefeated in the Qualifiers and why?

It's a clean sweep from our panel for 2023 runners-up Spain

Azania: I think Spain or Belgium are the two teams that could go undefeated and, between the two, I'm gonna say Spain are most likely to come out of their group without a loss. They have a core group of women, who have been building and together for a while now. Plus Astou Ndour potentially could be back for the second window after having her baby.

Anais: Spain. The runners-up of the last edition arrive with some of their stars in the best shape: Raquel Carrera, Maite Cazorla and Maria Conde will be a nightmare for Croatia and Austria. Furthermore, the bench is deep and perfectly combines experience and youth.

Marco: Spain, Turkey and Italy. For different reasons. Both Turkey and Italy will be determined after some negative results at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023. Spain because their opponents in the group have a lower level and a bit of revenge is also on the Spain's agenda, so I will go for them.

Paul: For so many different reasons, you have to think it would be a major surprise if Spain lost to Netherlands, Croatia or Austria and only a 6-0 record can be envisaged if they are locked and loaded as usual. The other teams in that group are going to have to hit everything to beat the 2023 runners-up, which is also another factor. Spain could have been crowned champions and might still be kicking themselves at letting a golden opportunity slip through their fingers. The road to redemption starts here.

2. Which nation that played at the 2023 edition is most likely to miss out this time and why?

Both 2023 co-hosts Slovenia and Israel might have a tricky time trying to advance to  the 2025 edition

Azania: After a great effort in FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 as a wonderful host, I think Israel is slightly too young and doesn't have enough top level talent to compete with the likes of France and Latvia in Group E. I think they will battle with Ireland for third place in the standings.

Anais: I think Israel since it's hard to qualify when you get drawn in the same group with France and Latvia. I don't see them getting out of Group E.

Marco: I prefer to value the vision of a program, so I'd love to watch a federation really plan something over the next  windows. If some federations plan to rebuild the roster, I'd not think it is about missing something, but instead building something for the longer future. But if I have to pick somebody, then maybe it will be Israel.

Paul: I fear a little for Slovenia who have so much rising star talent coming through the pipeline, but these young guns have lost their phenomenal leader Teja Oblak to an injury. The ZVVZ USK Praha playmaker will miss this important first window. An already thin squad depth-wise as we saw when they hosted FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023, they will be under instant pressure away at group favorites Hungary. Slovenia might still do it and the last window is still some 16 months away, but it doesn't look easy at all.

3. Which nation that failed to make the 2023 edition is most likely to qualify this time and why?

 Could underdogs Estonia cause a splash by punching heir ticket?

Azania: I think Estonia could be a team that could qualify. As they are a nation that has been getting better and better. Their federation also has big aspirations for them and you can see that their dedication is starting to paying off. Estonia is an up and coming team that people should keep an eye on.

Anais: Lithuania as I think that now they are more solid as a team and their players are incredibly talented. It will have a positive influence if Juste Jocyte can finally play again.

Marco: Sweden with Frida Eldenbrink, but I'd like to also add Sweden with Emma Johansson. Not just to underline the same topic about the vision, but also to address the necessary combination needed between the games and the NCAA schedule.

Paul: Sweden could be back again, although it is a bit of a possible backhanded compliment, since it is more to do with the group rather than anything special about the yellow and blues. They will play against Great Britain who might be favorites, as well as an Estonia boosted by a new naturalized player,  plus a dangerous Denmark. This could be a complicated pool, but Sweden do have a good chance of getting back to winning ways and pushing for qualification. Although a serious injury to veteran Elin Eldebrink is a real blow. 

4. Which player are you most looking forward to watching and why?

Is there anyone who does not enjoy watching FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 MVP, Emma Meesseman play?

Azania: My favourite player and the one I'm most excited to watch is Emma Meesseman. I think her skill and professionalism is elite. You can see her teammates love her on and off the court and is the face of women's basketball across Europe.

Anais: With no doubt, Satou Sabally of Germany. She is an amazing player and I'm so exited to see her wearing a national team jersey.

Marco: Cecilia Zandalasini. She is special. She needs and deserves to be the most efficient player in every game. Every single game. She can do it.

Paul: Even if it feels like a cut and paste, it's one that is worthy of repeat episodes. Alina Iagupova pushing Ukraine in every game, liable and often needing to produce something special for her nation to be victorious, means the highlights reels are stuffed and the numbers she puts up can be mind-boggling. It's never dull with her in a Ukraine vest and maybe they can be the team (instead of my pick Sweden) to book a return. If they did, it would go some way to missing out on the last two editions in 2019 and 2021.

FIBA