The first team, Finland, has confirmed its participation in the FIBA World Cup 2023, and more are expected to follow as the European Qualifiers near their conclusion.
The November games follow some exciting action in the June-July qualification games as well as FIBA EuroBasket 2022, where some teams are surprised and impressed while others are disappointed.
All of that is forgotten as the Second Round continues and teams compete for one of the twelve spots for Europe in next summer’s showcase in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.
The most recent Power Rankings are available below.
SPAIN (+1)
- Current Score: 5-1 (1st in Group L)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 2nd
The reigning world champions are now the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 champions, and the Spaniards will ride that wave into the Group L games. Sergio Scariolo’s men will travel to Italy to see who takes the lead, before hosting the Netherlands.
LITHUANIA (+1)
- Current Score: 7-1 (1st in Group K)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 8th
Lithuania enters the window after overcoming adversity to reach the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Round of 16 stage after losing their first three Group Phase games. The Baltic team will host France in a big game, with Lithuania looking to avenge a 77-73 defeat at EuroBasket. Lithuania will then face Montenegro in a game that they must win if they are to finish first in the group.
GERMANY (+4)
- Current Score: 7-1 (1st in Group J)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 11th
Germany finished third at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022, and they will enter the window full of confidence. Gordie Herbert and company will host Finland in a battle of the top two teams before traveling to Slovenia to face a team that lost to Germany in the June-July window but then defeated in the EuroBasket Group Phase.
FINLAND (+7)
- Current Score: 7-1 (2nd in Group J)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 25th
Finland is the only team that has already secured a spot in next summer’s major event in Asia. The Finns can advance further in this window by playing at Germany for first place in Group J before hosting Estonia in their second game.
FRANCE (-4)
- Current Score: 6-2 (2nd in Group K)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 5th
France returns to the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying race after finishing second at FIBA EuroBasket 2022. And in this window, France travels to Lithuania, where a win would give them first place in Group K, and then hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina, whom they lost in double overtime in the previous window. Remember that Victor Wembanyama will make his senior national team debut in the window.
LAVINIA (+3)
- Current Score: 5-1 (1st in Group I)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 30th
Latvia is excited to be back in the European Qualifiers after missing FIBA EuroBasket 2022 and having to watch from home. The Latvians lead Group I, but they face a tough test in the window against second-placed Greece before hosting the United Kingdom. During this window, Latvia could secure its first berth to the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
ITALY (-1)
- Current Score: 5-1 (2nd in Group L)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 10th
It could be argued that Italy overachieved by reaching the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Quarter-Finals, and the Italians now have the opportunity to take sole possession of first place in Second Round Group L as they host Spain and then travel to Georgia. Depending on the outcome, Gianmarco Pozzecco’s team could also secure a spot in next summer’s FIBA Basketball World Cup during this window.
GREECE (-4)
- Current Score: 4-2 (2nd in Group I)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 9th
Greece was eliminated in the Quarter-Finals of FIBA EuroBasket 2022, and the players from that team will look to rebound in the European Qualifiers. The Greeks have a chance to take over first place in Group I when they host Latvia before traveling to Belgium. Neither game will be easy, and Hellas must rise to the occasion in order to avoid two defeats.
SLOVENIA (-1)
- Current Score: 5-3 (3rd in Group J)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 7th
Slovenia, the reigning champions, advanced to the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Quarter-Finals, but the focus now shifts to FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification. Slovenia may be able to qualify for the 2023 showcase if they travel to Israel and then host Germany, who defeated them in the previous window before the Balkan side won in the EuroBasket Group Phase.
SERBIA (-5)
- Current Score: 3-3 (4th in Group I)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 6th
Serbia, which is currently fourth in Group I, is in a real dogfight to qualify. However, the Serbs begin the window against the United Kingdom before hosting Turkey in the following window. Serbia would benefit from winning twice because it would relieve pressure in the final window next February.
MONTENEGRO
- Current Score: 5-3 (3rd in Group K)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 18th
Montenegro, which is a game ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary, has a chance to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in this window. They open the window with the desperate Czech Republic, followed by Lithuania. Montenegro has the tiebreaker advantage over Hungary and defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina by 19 points in the final round.
ICELAND
- Current Score: 4-2 (3rd in Group L)
- Nike-sponsored FIBA World Ranking: 49th
Iceland’s dream of qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time could come true during this window, as they face Georgia in Reykjavik, knowing that a win would give them a two-game lead over the eastern Europeans. Iceland closes out the window with a trip to Ukraine.
There are only 12 teams. What about the other 12 teams, you may wonder.
Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Hungary, and Turkey are on the outskirts.
Belgium advanced to the top 12 by finishing third in Group I, ahead of Serbia, with two victories over the European powerhouse. If they can maintain their lead over Serbia after this window closes, they will almost certainly move up the Power Rankings. Turkey is in the same group and will face a difficult test. Georgia desperately needs to beat Iceland this window, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary compete in Group K to catch Montenegro.
Czech Republic, Sweden, and Israel have mountains to climb.
Czech Republic can keep their slim hopes alive if they defeat both Montenegro and Hungary this window. And, by the time Sweden and Israel meet in the second game of the Group J window, it may be too late.
It’s all but over:
Estonia, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine
Estonia has two wins but is three games behind third-placed Slovenia, while Great Britain is two games behind with one win. Ukraine has one win as well and is three games behind Iceland.
Netherlands has already finished:
The Netherlands is 0-6 in Group L and can use the games to give valuable playing time to young or inexperienced players.
*The power rankings are completely subjective and in no way represent a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are solely the author’s.
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