EuroBasket Women 2025 kicks off Wednesday, June 18 in four European cities. Pireus (Greece), Bologna (Italy), Brno (Czechia) and Hamburg (Germany) will each house one of four four-team groups before the knockout round in Greece.
A number of active WNBA players are participating in the competition, while several more players who will eventually be in the WNBA also are representing their national teams. There also are more familiar faces and future stars to see. Here’s a brief look at the standout players to watch.
Group A: France, Greece, Switzerland, Turkey
WNBA players and draftees: Janelle Salaün (France, Golden State Valkyries), Leïla Lacan (Frace, Connecticut Sun) Teaira McCowan (Turkey, Dallas Wings)
Watching Salaün and Lacan play next to each other in France should be the highlight of this group. The former is already turning heads in the W, while the latter, picked No. 10 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, would be really helpful for the struggling Sun. Instead, she’ll be suiting up for France, hoping to get the team to the final. Turkey will rely on McCowan and Sevgi Uzun, who was recently cut by the Phoenix Mercury. Uzun is one of those players beloved by their teammates, but overlooked by casual fans because she does tons of little things that don’t show up in the stat sheets.
Group B: Italy, Slovenia, Lithuania, Serbia
WNBA players and draftees: Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy, Valkyries) Jessica Shepard (Slovenia, Minnesota Lynx), Ajša Sivka (Slovenia, Chicago Sky), Matilde Villa (Italy, Atlanta Dream), Juste Jocyté (Lithuania, Valkyries)
On paper, this is the most interesting group, with no clear favorites and young players to root for. Jocyté, Sivka and Villa, despite all being under 21, are all team leaders, already drafted by WNBA teams. Jocyté will be particularly interesting, as her wingspan, range and shooting ability make her perfect for a long, sustainable basketball career. Sivka’s game is similar in many ways, but she doesn’t take over games like Jocyté can. Then there’s Villa, an incredibly skilled ball handler who’s surrounded by a lot of talented, experienced players.
Group C: Belgium, Czechia, Montenegro, Portugal
WNBA players: Julie Allemand (Belgium, Los Angeles Sparks). Julie Vanloo (Belgium, Valkyries)
Other players to watch: Emma Messeman (Belgium)
Belgium arguably has the best player in the competition: Emma Messeman. She’s the Nikola Jokić of women’s basketball, and as long as she’s surrounded by capable shooters and cutters, her team will make it far in any tournament. Czechia, Montenegro and Portugal will battle it out for the second spot in the group. Montenegro will be particularly hurt by the absence of Natasha Mack, but they still have enough to make it out of the group.
Group D: Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Sweden
WNBA players: Luisa Geiselsöder (Germany, Wings), Leonie Fiebich (Germany, New York Liberty), Temi Fágbénlé (Great Britain, Valkyries)
Other players to watch: Awa Fam (Spain), Iyana Martin (Spain), Holly Winterburn (Great Britain)
Even though Germany is the favorite, Spain has a particularly interesting roster, with FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket 2024 MVP Awa Fam and EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year Iyana Martin as the big-playmaker duo. Both are just 19 and can lead Spain deep into the competition. Great Britain lost all three of their preparation games and while they have some established players, like Fagbenle and former Oregon Duck Holly Winterburn, they aren’t predicted to go very far. Still, when Winterburn’s shot is on, it’s a sight to watch.
