EuroBasket 2022 is right around the corner. Undoubtedly, there are many national teams capable of winning the gold medal, while the presence of NBA and Euroleague players of the highest caliber is making this tournament really exciting.
There are also teams without the star quality or experience to perform in a high level, like the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Great Britain.
Ahead of the start of the EuroBasket (September 1st), Hedgeout Team made its predictions and picked the Top-8 teams of the tournament. Part 1 is here.
Here is Part 2 of our predictions for the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket:
Yiannis Bouranis
8. Italy
Italy aims for a deep run in the tournament, but I don’t think this is likely to happen. The hosts of Group C have a talented team, led by Danilo Gallinari and Simone Fonttechio, but assuming they will claim one of the two top spots in the group, their path to the medal is very challenging.
However, I expect them to come out of their group as the second best team and then eliminate their opponent in the Round of 16 only to get eliminated in the quarter-finals.
7. Spain
For the first time in many years, Spain is dealing with a transitional period, with the majority of its superstars either retiring or being at the final stages of their careers.
Rudy Fernandez is the undisputed leader in what could be his final appearance in a major FIBA tournament.
With Hernangomez brothers and Lorenzo Brown also in the team, the Spaniards could reach the quarter-finals, but it would come as a major surprise if they make it to the semi-finals. Especially with star guard Sergio Llull out.
6. Lithuania
Lithuania has one of its most solid and consistent rosters of its modern history and aims to fight for the gold medal. Headlined by NBA stars Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis, the Lithuanians are a well-oiled machine that has build chmistry over the years.
However, they will face tough opponents not only in the group stage (Slovenia, France), but also in the knockout stage, with a clah with Serbia being a likely scenario in the quarter-finals.
As a result, I expect them to play in the classification games, fighting to finish fifth or sixth in the tournament.
5. Greece
Greece has a golden opportunity to go all the way in a amjor FIBA tournament for the first time in 13 years (2009). Led by NBA superstar and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greeks enter the tournament as one of the favorites.
However, the absence of Giorgos Papagiannis (questionable with injury) could be harmful for the squad, as it will create a lack of size in the paint.
In addition, I expect Greece to easily qualify for the quarter-finals, but it is very likely they will clash with France or Slovenia for a place in the semi-finals, with the Greeks being the underdogs in that matchup.
For that reason, I believe the Greeks, coached by one of the best EuroLeague coaches in Dimitris Itoudis, will finish fifth.
4. Turkey
Turkey enters the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket as the underdog and has a great chance to exceed expectations and go all the way.
Ergin Ataman has put together a very talented roster, which lacks experience, though, and that could cost in must-win games.
However, their offensive repertoire and the presence of three NBA players in Cedi Osman, Elkpen Senhun and Furkan Korkmaz as well as EuroLeague Shane Larkin guarantees that the Turks can be competitive for the whole tournament.
Turkey aims for the top spot in Group A, which will let them have an easier path en route to the semi-finals. And from there, anything would be possble.
3. Serbia
The Serbians have one of the bets teams in the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket. Despite missing key players, like Milos Teodosic, they have a very talented and deep squad, headlined by Nikola Jokic and Vasilije Micic.
If they remain healthy, they are capable of reaching the semi-finals, where they could very likely collide with France or Slovenia.
2. Slovenia
Luka Doncic and Slovenia have their sights set on defending the title they claimed in 2017. With Goran Dragic joining the team, the Slovenians have one of the rosters in the tournament.
Team chemistry will be key for the Slovenians, while big man Mike Tobey and guard Klemen Prepelic will have a key role in the tactics.
1. France
France has been one of the best teams in the world and they proved so in the 2021 Olympic Games, where they finished second.
The French have a log-term plan to dominate the basketball world in the next three major FIBA tournaments (2022 FIBA EuroBasket, 2023 Basketball World Cup and 2024 Olympic Games).
Headlined by Evan Fournier, Guerschon Yabusele and Rudy Gobert, France’s roster consists of talented and versatile players in every position and that makes it difficylt for opponents to stop them.
They proved so against the Czech Repubcic, where they decimated their opponents in the second half, outscoring them 57-18 and being unstoppable on both ends.
Filippos Kassotis
8. Italy
The “Azzurri” have the means to go even further. Danilo Gallinari, Luigi Datome and Nicolo Melli, have all the talent and the skill to get past the eight position. Still they lack in consistency and bench depth. The three team stars have to exaggerate in order to get past lots of obstacles, even in group stage. In any case, I do not think that they will get to the semi-finals.
7. Spain
Spain has undoubtedly been the one of best national teams for the past 20 years, second only to the USA. This year, the Spaniards are under change and reconstructions. Rudy Fernandez is there to connect the past with the future. As much as I want the “Rohas” to shine as they have been, still my guess is that they will not get past seventh position in this tournament.
6. Turkey
As coach Ergin Ataman has recently said, the Turkish national team is not as good and ready as his Anadolu Efes has been for the past four years. The only thing that Turkey lacks is the unity of the team. They surely have all the talent in the world, to get even to the finals , but since this is a rather new team and they have a long way to go in order to play as a well balanced machine, the sixth place is as good as it gets.
5. Lithuania
Lithuania is the pure example of a perfectly set team. there is not much i can discuss about them. I just put them in fifth position because they do not have the superstars to carry them till the end. Domas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas are the key player but sadly they cannot do this on their own.
4. Greece
The Greek national team has in his ranks one of the best and more completed players in the world, Giannis. Also they have one of the best European playmakers in Kostas Sloukas. Moreover they have one of the most experienced head coaches, Dimitris Itoudis.
Should he manage to make things easier for Giannis, we are sure to watch a very entertaining team. Still, I think that the team is not well prepared and this will cost them a better place in this tournament.
3. Slovenia
Luka Doncic is the cornerstone of the reigning champions. Goran Dragic is back to get things done. The Slovenian squad has the know-how and is ready to hold again what belongs to them.
With Luka playing as usually the team will surely get a medal. But it is up to the rest to finish the job. As far as I am concerned, third is as good as it gets for the Slovenians. And the reason is none other than the pending two teams.
2. France
Les Bleues is the most talented and the most fun to watch team. Rudy Gobert will lead, Ekobo, Fournier and Heurtel will score and as simple as that the French national team will get to the finals. They begin this tournament being among the favorites anyhow. I expect nothing less than the second position.
1. Serbia
The team that has the back to back NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic and the back to back EuroLeague final four MVP Vasilije Micic surrounded by Bjelica and Pokusevski have more than is needed in order to get to the end.
And this is what they will do. as far as I am concerned this year’s title belongs to them. The only thing Pesic has to do is to put them all together and the rest is up to them.
Aggelos Nikolopoulos
8. Spain
Everyone can see that Spain doesn’t have the past’s glamor. The “gold” gen who dominated almost every tournament, has grown up, many of these players have retired from national squad. Nevertheless, the talent exist. But, experience lacks. That’s why I believe they can reach out the quarter-finals but will stop there.
7. Croatia
Croatia is a traditional national team of Eurobasket. Every time begins with expectations, due to the wonderful roster they have, but they fail to be in the medal zone. Tough team with much talent, for sure no one wants to play against them. But their capabilities today, don’t even let them think of going for a medal, in my opinion. So, they can reach the quarter-finals, exactly like Spain, but it will be their top.
6. Greece
Giannis’ team is surely one of the favourites for a medal. Except the Bucks’ player, Greece has a truly experienced and talented roster, with players that can play any type of basketball. With Antetokounmpo helping their try, the Greeks can go till the end of the road.
But my only objection is if they can qualify from a possible match-up with France. If Giannis is at top level and play as a real MVP and of course Papagiannis and Papapetrou take part in the tournament, their chances for a medal are increasing much.
5. Lithuania
The Lithuanians have an excellent team that can play a wonderful basketball. After multiple successes in previous tournaments, they expect to reach as hihr as they can in this tournament, too. The truth is, that they can achieve it. Their roster is full of stars. But the possible meet-up with the Serbians in the quarter-finals may stop them dreaming.
4. Italy
My surprise – team of Eurobasket 2022. Italy, like Spain, is not the team we used to see in the past. But this mix of experienced and young players that has achieved, makes me feel that they can reach even the semi-finals of the tournament.
Risky prediction, but the Italians can surprise everyone this year. But I can’t think they can reach the Final Game. Anyway, a Semifinal for the Italians and a try to win a medal will be a huge success.
3. Slovenia
Many people consider them as the grand favourite. The defending champions have their possibilities on repeating. Dončić, Dragić and the other guys want to repeat 2017’s success in Dragić’s probably last Eurobasket tournament.
With Dončić in a spectacular form, no one wants to play against them. But, my opinion is that in the possible Semifinal with Serbia, this time (they played the Golde Medal Game in the last tournament where Slovenia won) the Serbians will win and go to the Final. Nevertheless, the Slovenians will have the bronze medal in their chest.
2. France
And we have reached the Finalists. I consider France one of them, if she manages to rule out Greece. If not, it could be opposite. After their several successes in the last EuroBasket tournaments, the French want to go to the end of the road again. And their roster, shows exactly that.
Their stars (most of them) will participate, having only one target in the mind: the gold medal. My possible pair in the Gold Medal Game, is them against Serbia. So, I believe that because it’s time for the Serbians, France will have a not bad at all, second place.
1. Serbia
The time has come. The Serbians, 21 years later, can win their first Eurobasket title. Last time they won it as Yugoslavia and they have never won it after they were called Serbia. And if not this year, where they are participating with almost all their stars, then when?
Having the back-to-back NBA MVP, Nikola Jokić in the leading role, and players like Euroleague’s MVP, Micić and Lucić, Milutinov, Kalinić, in my eyes they are the grand favorite of this tournament. Logically they’ll have an easy path till the semi-finals and then for me, their talent and their experience will dominate the rest of the tournament.
