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.

Belgium: Grit, Guts and No Go-To Guy?

Group D – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Belgium comes into EuroBasket 2025 as one of the most disciplined and hard-working teams in the tournament. They don’t have the raw talent of the top contenders, but they make up for it with structure and toughness. Originally, the presence of NBA-level names like Toumani Camara and Ajay Mitchell promised to boost their upside, but both have now been ruled out of the tournament. The recent news that star guard Retin Obasohan will also miss the competition due to an injury is a devastating blow. This absence of their primary offensive engine and two key NBA players completely changes the outlook for Belgium, narrowing their margin for error and putting immense pressure on their established core.

Best Players: With Obasohan out, this is no longer a team with a clear-cut leader. He was one of the most productive guards in any group during qualifiers, averaging 20 points and over five assists per game. His ability to break down defenses and create for others was the foundation of Belgium’s offense. Now, with Mitchell and Camara also out, the team’s offensive and defensive depth takes a massive hit. Emmanuel Lecomte, who was the second-best scorer in qualifiers, is now expected to step up. While he is a capable scorer, he isn’t the same type of playmaker as Obasohan and creating for others isn’t his strong suit.

Path: Belgium finished with a 3–3 record. They were swept by a red-hot Latvia squad but did snag a gritty win against Spain at home. That victory came with Obasohan on the floor — they lost the return game without him, but qualification was already in the bag. Slovakia was no match, as Belgium swept that series behind physicality and defensive pressure.

Strengths: This team thrives in structure. Their defense is tough and connected, particularly on the ball — they held Spain under 60 points, a rare feat in modern international basketball. They don’t beat themselves and they’ll punish sloppy opponents. The double-teaming and pressure that opponents used to put on Obasohan on every pick-and-roll will likely be softened now, which could open up opportunities for other players.

Weaknesses: The ceiling is now more limited than ever without Camara, Mitchell, and maybe most critically, Obasohan. The biggest concern is the lack of a reliable shot creator. While Lecomte can score, he isn’t as efficient when he’s forced to be the primary playmaker. Belgium still lacks interior presence, which Spain exposed badly. Their shooting is streaky (just 31% from deep during qualifiers), and in games where the offense can’t get into a rhythm, they’ll struggle to generate consistent looks.

Bottom Line: Belgium won’t wow you with highlight plays or high-octane runs. They’re stubborn, physical, and well-drilled, but losing their top three players for EuroBasket makes their task incredibly tough. The team will have to rely on their defense and an offense-by-committee approach. They can still be a difficult opponent, but their chances of stealing a game or two in the group stage are now much slimmer.

Expectation: A well-coached spoiler, if they’re lucky

Don’t expect a deep run. The defense is real, but without their main offensive weapon, it’s hard to see where the scoring will come from. They will be a tough out, but their margin for error is razor-thin.

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.

Israel: Guard-Led and Sharpshooting in Group D

Group D – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Israel enters EuroBasket 2025 as a dynamic guard-driven team, backed by a strong qualifying performance and the return of NBA star Deni Avdija. Their success hinges on perimeter shooting and smart ball movement, with the hope that their frontcourt can support enough defensively and on the glass. This squad is built to push tempo and score efficiently from distance but will need to minimize turnovers to advance deep.

Best Players: Yam Madar led the qualifiers with 20 points per game, providing reliable scoring and playmaking. Tomer Ginat also impressed with 17 PPG. However, Deni Avdija is the true centerpiece after a stellar NBA season, averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and shooting 37% from three. His versatility will be crucial for Israel’s offensive flow.

Path: Israel topped their group in qualifying with a 5–1 record. Their lone loss came on the road against Slovenia, but they earned a hard-fought 2-point win over Portugal away. This strong record shows their ability to compete under pressure and close tight games.

Strengths: A guard-focused team that thrives on ball movement and shooting. Their frontcourt players complement the guards, providing solid screens and quick reactions to maintain offensive rhythm. Israel shot an impressive 37.7% from beyond the arc on 22 attempts per game, making them a serious threat from distance.

Weaknesses: Limited creation and athleticism in the frontcourt could be exploited by more physical opponents. The team averaged 14 turnovers per game, struggling against aggressive full-court pressure. Addressing these defensive and ball security issues will be key to progressing.

Bottom Line: If Israel’s key players, led by Avdija and Madar, maintain their shooting and decision-making, this team can advance past the group stage. Frontcourt limitations and turnover issues will challenge them, but their offensive firepower makes them dangerous in any matchup.

Power Ranking: Sharpshooters with upside

A talented backcourt and strong shooting define their ceiling, but consistency and defensive toughness will shape their tournament journey.

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.

Iceland: The Ice Is Thin, But the Fight Is Real

Group D – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — Iceland comes into EuroBasket 2025 as a team with real structure, top-heavy talent and a clear plan. They won’t scare anyone on paper, but they’ve proven they can hang with elite teams when clicking. A few key players drive the engine, and if they stay healthy, Iceland has enough cohesion to bother more talented opponents.

Best Players: Martin Hermannsson was electric during the qualifiers, pouring in 20 points per game while taking over as the team’s primary scorer. Alongside him, Elvar Fridriksson dished 7 assists per game and provided essential ball security and playmaking. The backcourt duo is among the most productive in the tournament. Add Tryggvi Hlinason, the 7-footer who nearly averaged 3 blocks per game, and you’ve got a team built on a clear inside-out formula.

Path: A 3–3 record in a competitive qualifying group speaks volumes. They beat Turkey in Reykjavík and only lost the return game by a point. They also stunned Italy in Rome before losing the reverse fixture at home. The one real slip-up came in Hungary, where they let a winnable game get away. Still, this team showed it can punch above its weight.

Strengths: Ball security is a major asset — Iceland keeps turnovers low and rarely beats itself. Offensively, they move quickly out of actions, with Martin and Elvar reading and reacting to the defense at a high level. Tryggvi anchors the defense and brings real shot-blocking and physicality inside. This trio plays with chemistry and purpose.

Weaknesses: Beyond those three, things get dicey. There’s limited shot creation outside the guards, and the team often stalls when facing switching defenses. They hit just 33% from three, not bad but not enough to stretch teams out. Defensively, weak-side awareness is shaky, especially when rotating to the perimeter. Drop coverage against pick-and-pop bigs has hurt them — they allow too many clean looks from deep.

Bottom Line: Iceland has enough high-level performers to be dangerous, but not enough depth to sustain that level across a full tournament. If their three stars stay healthy and hot, they’ll be a problem — but they’re just one cold shooting night away from trouble.

Expectation: Smart, tough, but stretched thin

Expect them to steal a game or two, but depth and spacing will keep their ceiling low.

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.

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.