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.

France: Loaded with Depth, But Missing the Towers

Group D – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Even without their twin interior anchors — Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama — France arrives at EuroBasket 2025 as one of the deepest and most athletic teams in the tournament. New coach, new cycle, and still the same high expectations. Their roster oozes NBA talent, and they remain a contender even without a traditional big to dominate the paint.

Best Players: France used a wide rotation in the qualifiers, and no single player stood out for long stretches — only Andrew Albicy played five games, serving as the veteran stabilizer. But now the stars return. Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr bring fresh NBA pedigree, while Bilal Coulibaly and Guerschon Yabusele provide elite physical tools and FIBA experience. No Rudy, no Wemby, no problem? We’ll see.

Path: A clean 6–0 record in the qualifiers. They didn’t always dominate, but they found ways to win every time — even grinding out tough games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia late in the cycle. Elie Okobo hit a buzzer-beater to down Bosnia and Herzegovina, proving this team can handle adversity even when the stars sit.

Strengths: France’s strengths start with athleticism — even without their elite rim protectors, this team is built to run, fly, and switch across all positions. Their depth might be the best in the tournament; they can rotate full five-man units without much of a dip in quality or intensity. On the perimeter, physical defenders like Bilal Coulibaly and Isaïa Cordinier make life miserable for opposing ball-handlers, giving France the tools to disrupt even the most structured offenses.

Weaknesses: France’s weaknesses center on their frontcourt, which lacks a tested center due to the absences of Gobert and Wembanyama, leaving them short on size and elite rim protection, while Lessort’s absence further deprives them of a solid contributor in the big spots. Their off-ball defense still needs improvement, especially in help-side timing and rotations, an issue that becomes more pronounced with smaller lineups. Additionally, their three-point shooting during qualifiers was inconsistent, with low volume and efficiency; although the NBA additions should bolster this area, it remains uncertain how they’ll perform under pressure.

Bottom Line: France might not have its most dominant version of the roster, but even this “Plan B” group is good enough to compete for a medal. If Sarr and Risacher find their rhythm quickly, and the wings stay aggressive on both ends, they’ll be a nightmare matchup for anyone.

Expectation: Still elite, even without their towers in the middle

They won’t be the tallest, but they just might be the fastest and on of the deepest.

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.

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.

Poland: Home Court, But a Long Way Home

Group D – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Poland enters EuroBasket 2025 as one of the four host nations, but hosting duties may be their biggest advantage. After a tough qualifying campaign where they went just 1–5, the Poles come into the tournament under pressure and with something to prove. The loss of star forward Jeremy Sochan with a calf injury was a huge blow, but the recent confirmation that veteran EuroLeague guard Jordan Loyd will join the team as their naturalized player has completely changed the team’s outlook. His presence provides a much-needed scoring punch and leadership, giving the Poles a new hope.

Best Players: While Mateusz Ponitka is still the heart and soul of this team, the addition of Jordan Loyd gives them a dynamic scoring partner. Loyd is a proven EuroLeague scorer and playmaker, and he’ll be expected to shoulder a significant offensive load. He brings a level of consistency and clutch play that was sorely missing in Sochan’s absence. Michal Michalak remains a consistent scoring threat, and Aleksander Balcerowski provides a solid interior presence and pick-and-roll partner for both Ponitka and now Loyd.

Path: Poland had a rocky road in qualifying, though it was more about testing than results — they were already qualified as hosts. Still, the performances raised concerns. They lost five of six, including both games to North Macedonia by double digits. Their lone win came in a nail-biter against Estonia. That’s not exactly the résumé of a contender, but Loyd’s addition could make those results less relevant.

Strengths: The addition of Jordan Loyd is a game-changer. He immediately addresses the team’s need for a go-to scorer and shot creator. His ability to shoot from deep, drive to the basket, and make plays for others will make their half-court offense much more fluid and less predictable. This will also take some pressure off of Ponitka, who can now be more of a bully in mismatches. Poland will have the home crowd to cheer them on, and with Loyd’s EuroLeague experience, they now have a proven player who is used to performing on the big stage.

Weaknesses: The team still has issues. Despite Loyd’s addition, the team’s shooting from deep (a brutal 25.9% in qualifiers) is a major concern. They’re still turnover-prone and can be undisciplined on transition defense. While Loyd helps, the loss of Sochan’s defensive versatility and athleticism leaves a gap on that end of the floor that other players will have to fill.

Bottom Line: The home crowd and the addition of Jordan Loyd give Poland a real chance to be a spoiler in this tournament. He can provide the spark and offensive consistency they’ll need to compete. While the team still has its flaws, the star power of Loyd and Ponitka, combined with the energy of the home crowd, could be a recipe for a few upsets.

Expectation: Home-court advantage and a fighting chance

Hosting helps and Loyd’s presence makes them a much more dangerous team. Don’t be surprised if they steal a game or two in the group stage and make a push for the knockout rounds.

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.

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.

Italy: Dangerous When It Clicks

Group C – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Italy enters EuroBasket 2025 with momentum and intrigue. Their qualifying path wasn’t spotless — they dropped surprising games to Hungary and Iceland — but both came under depleted conditions. At full strength, this is a fast, skilled, and well-coached group that’s trending up. With key reinforcements set to join, Italy is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s most enticing dark horses.

Best Players: Nicolò Melli was a stabilizer during qualifiers (16 EFF, 9 rebounds per game), while Spagnolo showed real go-to scoring chops at just 21. Pajola ran the offense with poise, averaging 7 assists and doing the dirty work defensively. That core alone is solid — but it’s the additions that shift the ceiling.

Roster Shake-Up and New Dynamics: Originally, Italy had penciled in NBA swingman Donte DiVincenzo as a marquee addition — a versatile two-way piece who could’ve unlocked another level with his defense, spacing, and shot-making. Unfortunately, DiVincenzo has announced he’s still recovering from injury and won’t be available. It’s a significant blow: Italy loses an elite perimeter defender, a high-level floor spacer (career 3PT threat), and a proven competitor who elevates teammates.

In his place, Italy will turn to naturalized guard Darius Thompson. While not a like-for-like replacement, Thompson offers intriguing value as a pass-first ball handler with excellent feel and pace. His presence adds a new layer to Italy’s creation game — especially useful when Pajola is off the floor or facing pressure. Where Pajola sometimes struggles with rim pressure, Thompson excels, giving Italy a secondary driver who can collapse defenses and keep the ball moving.

Path: 4–2. Italy handled Turkey with ease in both meetings and bounced back to dominate Hungary and Iceland in the return legs. Losses came in shorthanded games — no Melli vs Hungary, no Pajola or Spagnolo vs Iceland — which makes the overall record look shakier than it was.

Strengths: This team cuts hard, moves the ball well (especially in two-big actions with Ricci and Melli), and shoots it at 38% from deep — albeit on modest volume. They have positional athleticism, off-ball fluidity, and an unselfish style that’s hard to guard when shots are falling. Thompson’s ball-handling fits nicely into this free-flowing offense.

Weaknesses: The big-man rotation lacks real interior bite. They have no true rim protector, and when shots aren’t dropping, they can become too reliant on guards and secondary creation. Losing DiVincenzo also hurts their defensive ceiling and spacing — both areas he could’ve boosted significantly. Transition defense and discipline in rotations remain question marks.

Bottom Line: Italy is still built to surprise. The loss of DiVincenzo stings — there’s no sugarcoating that — but Thompson’s addition is not without value. With Fontecchio healthy and Gallinari potentially spacing the floor, this is still a clever, well-drilled group that can hang with almost anyone. They’ll need to shoot it well and stay connected defensively, but if they do, they’ll be a problem.

Expectation: The Smart, Slippery Contender

Dark horse status isn’t a cliché here. Even without DiVincenzo, this team is legit — just in a slightly different way.

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.

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.

Spain: Scariolo’s Last Dance, Minus Their Engine

Group C – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Spain enters EuroBasket 2025 at a crossroads. Sergio Scariolo — the architect of their modern era of dominance — is set to coach his final tournament, but the roster he’ll lead into battle is short on firepower and, now, short on stability. A major blow came just weeks before the tournament: veteran point guard Lorenzo Brown is out, replaced by 18-year-old prospect Mario Saint-Supery. It’s a symbolic shift — from battle-tested floor general to unproven upside — and a reminder that this version of Spain is navigating a true generational handoff.

Best Players: Santi Aldama is now the unquestioned headliner. The Grizzlies big man brings inside scoring, soft touch and size, and with Willy Hernangómez’s form uncertain, Aldama becomes the fulcrum. Santi Yusta was the top performer during qualifiers, averaging 16 PPG and hitting a buzzer-beater to save them against Slovakia. Saint-Supery (If he makes the final cut) brings talent and flair, but no FIBA experience — which indicates an even greater burden onto other creators like  Darío Brizuela.

Path: 3–3. Spain experimented heavily in the qualifiers, using 28 different players. They were swept by Latvia and lost away to Belgium, but swept Slovakia — including the aforementioned Yusta miracle to force OT in one game. It was never about results; it was a long look at depth.

Strengths: Few teams can match Spain’s cohesion. Scariolo knows how to build systems around his available tools and his defensive schemes — zone, traps, hybrid coverages — keep opponents guessing. This team still moves the ball well, and their chemistry helps cover up athletic gaps.

Weaknesses: Without Brown, playmaking becomes a major concern. Aldama isn’t a primary initiator and while Juancho, Brizuela and Yusta offer spacing, they can be streaky. The inside game leans too much on finesse and the overall offensive ceiling is low. Turnovers are a recurring issue. Spain will fight, but their margin for error just shrank.

Bottom Line: Scariolo will squeeze every ounce out of this group, but the absence of Brown is a gut punch to Spain’s half-court offense. The defense will keep them competitive, but without a trusted late-game creator, they’ll have to win ugly — and win together.

Expectation: Pedigree with Limits

The tools are there to make noise, but Spain now looks more like a tough out than a medal threat.

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.