With EuroBasket 2025 tipping off, this is your one-stop destination for in-depth previews of all 24 national teams heading into Europe’s premier basketball tournament. Whether you’re tracking MVP candidates, X’s-and-O’s brilliance, or just figuring out who might crash the medal party, our Power Rankings and team-by-team breakdowns will keep you ahead of the curve.

Czechia: Veteran Core, Smart Offense, but Question Marks on Defense

Group A – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Czechia arrives at EuroBasket 2025 as a team in transition, leaning on veterans to stay competitive while hoping the next generation can break through. Their 2–4 qualifying run was uneven, with both wins coming at home against the Netherlands and Great Britain. Three of the four losses came on the road, including both games against Greece. The final blowout loss to Great Britain came with key players resting and offered little as a measuring stick.

Best Players: Veteran center Ondřej Balvín was Czechia’s most reliable presence during qualifying, playing in five of six games and averaging 13 points per contest. When available, Tomáš Satoranský made a clear impact, averaging 14 points across three appearances while stabilizing the backcourt with his size and vision. The team is still awaiting clarity on the availability of Vit Krejčí, whose presence would add valuable two-way length and athleticism.

Strengths: With Satoranský and potentially Krejčí in the lineup, Czechia boasts excellent size at the guard spots — a rarity in Group A. Offensively, they showed strong discipline and execution: shooting 37% from three while consistently attacking closeouts and adapting well to varied defensive looks, particularly zone coverage. Their halfcourt offense is structured and difficult to disrupt when they’re in rhythm.

Weaknesses: On the other end, defensive issues are harder to hide. Their pick-and-roll coverage relies heavily on traditional drop schemes — Balvín anchors that setup, but it limits their ability to switch or pressure ball-handlers effectively. Czechia also lacks on-ball creation, especially when Satoranský sits, which stalls their offense in crunch moments. Transition defense remains a vulnerability — they’re slow to recover and can be punished by faster teams.

The Bottom Line: Czechia’s ceiling hinges on Satoranský’s health and whether Krejčí can suit up. With both, they’re a smart, veteran-led squad that can beat anyone on the right night. Without them, their margin for error shrinks considerably. Expect them to be competitive, but unless their defensive issues are masked by hot shooting and smart execution, they may find themselves fighting just to survive the group.

Expectation: Veteran Toughness, but Thin Margins

Capable of making it out of the group, but vulnerable if key players miss time.

This article was co-written by the hosts of the European Hoops podcast, Tiago Cordeiro and André Lemos. Subscribe to the podcast and follow European Hoops on Twitter: @EthosEuroleague.