Breaking a 69-year drought: Switzerland returns to the European stage

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the world of elite sports, some absences feel like eras. After nearly seven decades away from the continental spotlight, Switzerland is finally returning to EuroBasket Women 2025. This historic comeback marks the longest gap between edition appearances in the tournament's history.

The 2025 Women's European Basketball Championship represents a significant structural shift for FIBA Europe. For the first time, the tournament is being hosted by four countries simultaneously: Czechia, Germany, Italy, and Greece. This multi-host format mirrors the men's EuroBasket structure established in 2015. The event features 16 teams, with the co-hosts securing automatic qualification while other nations fought through a rigorous process involving 32 competing teams.

While many nations are familiar faces, the 2025 edition highlights dramatic shifts in the continental landscape. Switzerland's return after 69 years is the most notable, breaking all previous records for longevity between appearances. Conversely, Portugal makes its debut at the tournament for the first time since 2017. The qualification cycle also saw some heavyweights fall; notably, Hungary failed to qualify for the fourth consecutive time despite finishing fourth in the previous edition.

The tournament is set to be a record-breaking affair both on and off the court. It aims to shatter attendance records with a projected 92,851 fans. On the hardwood, the stakes are high: the winner earns a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, while the top five teams qualify for various qualifying tournaments. The final knockout stage will culminate in Piraeus, Greece, where the top two teams from each of the four groups will compete in a single-elimination format.

The logistical scale is immense, with specific venues like Brno's Sportovní hala Vodova undergoing renovations specifically for this event. While Italy celebrates its eighth time hosting and Germany makes its debut as a host nation, the tournament serves as a bridge to the future—with Belgium currently holding the title of defending champions after an undefeated run.

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