The FIBA EuroBasket 2025 European Qualifiers are leaning towards the end, with Croatia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Germany facing critical final-window games to secure their spots.
The first set of tickets to FIBA EuroBasket 2025 has been secured, with Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, and Turkiye all confirmed to join the tournament co-hosts Cyprus, Finland, Latvia, and Poland in the Final Round next summer.
This leaves 13 spots still up for grabs, with the final window of the European Qualifier set for February 20-24, 2025. At this stage, no teams have been eliminated, and all are still in contention.
However, some European powerhouses face the risk of missing out on the EuroBasket 2025 after four games played.
Croatia
- FIBA ranking: 33rd place
- Biggest stars: Ivica Zubac, Dario Saric, Karlo Matkovic, Mario Hezonja, Jaleen Smith
- Last two games: vs. France (H) and vs. Cyprus (A)
Group E standings:
| # | Team | GM | W | L | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | 4 | 4 | 0 | 53 |
| 2 | | 4 | 2 | 2 | 30 |
| 3 | | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| 4 | | 4 | 0 | 4 | -93 |
Croatia is in Group E alongside France, Bosnia, and Cyprus. Two teams from the group will advance to EuroBasket since Cyprus has already qualified as the host nation.
After a recent 20-point loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia's position has become complicated. Although Croatia defeated Bosnia by 13 in their first game, the head-to-head advantage now favors Bosnia, leaving both teams with a 2-2 record.
Croatia will likely need to win both of its remaining games in the last window to advance. Croatia and Bosnia both face winless Cyprus, so victories against them seem very probable.
The real challenge comes with their games against France. Croatia must defeat France to secure a spot, putting them ahead of Bosnia in the standings. Additionally, Croatia will be hoping that Bosnia does not manage to beat France.
Missing out on EuroBasket 2025 would be a major hit for Croatia, as they have not skipped a single EuroBasket since becoming independent (1991).
Ukraine
- FIBA ranking: 36th place
- Biggest stars: Alex Len and Svi Mykhailiuk
- Last two games: vs. Slovenia (H) and vs. Portugal (A)
Group A standings:
Ukraine is almost out of the main event after losing all four of their games in Group A.
To have any chance of qualifying, they must win both of their remaining games against Slovenia and Portugal in the final FIBA window. However, they also need Portugal to lose to Israel.
Additionally, Ukraine must defeat Portugal by more than two points, as they lost to them 77-79 in February. Portugal currently sits third in the group with two wins.
Ukraine has not missed a EuroBasket since 2009 in Poland, making five consecutive appearances at the biggest European basketball event. Since gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine has participated in nine EuroBasket tournaments.
Bulgaria
- FIBA ranking: 46th place
- Biggest stars: Sasha Vezenkov and Codi Miller-McIntyre
- Last two games: vs. Sweden (H) and vs. Germany (A)
Group D standings:
| # | Team | GM | W | L | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | 4 | 3 | 1 | 28 |
| 2 | | 4 | 2 | 2 | 37 |
| 3 | | 4 | 2 | 2 | -29 |
| 4 | | 4 | 1 | 3 | -36 |
Bulgaria is currently at the bottom of Group D with a 1-3 record. Sweden and Germany are ahead of them at 2-2, while Montenegro leads the group with a 3-1 record.
Bulgaria's next game is against Sweden, but they are at a disadvantage, having lost by 14 points in their first encounter. Bulgaria needs a convincing win to stay in the race, and it will also hope Sweden loses to Montenegro.
Bulgaria's final game is against Germany, a team they previously defeated at home. A victory here could be enough to keep their hopes alive, but they will need Germany to lose to Montenegro in the first game of the next FIBA window.
If Bulgaria finishes with a 3-3 record, tied with Montenegro, they will have a disadvantage, as Montenegro won both of their previous matches.
Bulgaria missed EuroBaskets in 2013, 2015, and 2017 but participated in the most recent tournament.
Germany*
- FIBA ranking: 3rd place
- Biggest stars: Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner, Daniels Theis, Isaiah Hartenstein, and others
- Last two games: vs. Montenegro (A) and vs. Bulgaria (H)
Group D standings:
| # | Team | GM | W | L | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | 4 | 3 | 1 | 28 |
| 2 | | 4 | 2 | 2 | 37 |
| 3 | | 4 | 2 | 2 | -29 |
| 4 | | 4 | 1 | 3 | -36 |
There is no reason to push a panic button for Germany, but they do find themselves in a tricky situation. They must secure a victory in the final window to avoid any elimination scenarios.
A win by more than 5 points against Bulgaria would be enough to ensure their qualification, even if their first game against Montenegro doesn't go as planned.
