By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The first “window” for the FIBA Eurobasket 2025 qualifiers is upon us and a total of 32 games will be played across Europe in the next four days.
You can watch those games on your local television rights holders and also at Courtside1891 and there are at least five games that are really important even if you are not a fan of the teams involved.
Plus, every game counts on the road to the upcoming continental competitions which will be the next big thing after the Paris Olympics. So tune in and don’t miss some big upcoming contests, with the first on the list being even bigger than basketball.
Thursday 22 February
Spain – Latvia (20.oo CET)
Forget the fact that Latvia has turned heads in the recent FIBA World Cup and that Spain is a basketball powerhouse. This is the game that it’s expected for Ricky Rubio to finally step on the court after a really long time. This is something that can produce headlines all over the basketball court, a personal triumph for the 2019 FIBA World Cup MVP and an example that everyone should follow.
Germany – Montenegro (19.30 CET)
The real World Champions are taking the floor again and that’s news by itself, since they will have the chance to play in front of their own fans. That’s after all the point of having those qualifiers back, the opportunity for the fans to see their teams on their own country playing meaningful games.
Friday 23 February
Greece – Czechia (20.00 CET)
This is the first time that Vassilis Spanoulis will be on the bench of the Greek national team as the new head coach. Of course, this makes things really interesting as Greece will use the qualifiers to make a first step towards preparing for the upcoming Olympics qualifiers, playing on the same arena, the Peace and Friendship stadium in Piraeus, the venue where Greece won the historic Eurobasket 1987. So it will be a night full of symbolism.
France – Croatia (20.30 CET)
The hosts of the upcoming Olympics after a disappointing World Cup will be back on the court trying to make a new start and demonstrate their might as they are gearing up for a summer to remember in Paris. Having a strong opponent like Croatia only helps things get better.
Monday 25 February
Georgia – Serbia (19.00 CET)
Qualifiers can be tricky and Serbia knows that well. The finalists of the recent FIBA World Cup will be tested on the road in a game that may end up being crucial for the final group standings. Add to the mix that Georgia will present itself with a new coach, Serbian Aleksandar Dzikic, who can make things even more trickier for his own country.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2022 FIBA EuroBasket