EuroBasket Women

EuroBasket Women

Current season, competition or edition: EuroBasket Women 2023
Sport	Basketball
Founded	1938; 84 years ago (1938)
Inaugural season	1938
No. of teams	16
Countries	FIBA Europe member associations
Continent	FIBA Europe (Europe)
Most recent champion(s)	Serbia (2nd title)
Most titles	Soviet Union (21 titles)
Related competitions	FIBA Women's European Championship for Small Countries EuroBasket
Official website	EuroBasket.com FIBA Europe

EuroBasket Women is a biennial international women's basketball competition held between the nations of FIBA Europe for women's national teams. EuroBasket Women is also used as a qualifying tournament for the FIBA Women's World Cup and also the Olympic Games.

History[]

The first tournament was held in 1938 in Fascist Italy, with participation of only five national teams. Despite losing to Lithuania (21–23), the host team won all other matches and captured inaugural title thanks to better head-to-head point difference among Top 3 teams. Lithuania and Poland took silver and bronze medals respectively.

The Second World War (1939–1945), which began the following year, interrupted the organization of women's basketball tournaments for a long time. The next continental championship was held in Hungary only 12 years later, in 1950. From 1950 to 1980, women's championships were held biennially each even year – unlike men's European Basketball Championship which were held each odd year. This tournament marked beginning of the era of dominance of the Eastern European teams which lasted for next four decades. In the last and decisive match of the final round hosts met with Soviet team. Hungary led after first half (24–22), but in the second half Soviets players looked much better. They managed to achieve victory (45–32) and to won its maiden European title. Czechoslovakia took bronze medals. At the next European Championship which was held in Moscow in 1952, Soviet team proved own dominance by beating Czechoslovakia and Hungary with margin of 23 points (52–29) and 30 points respectively (71–41). Two years later in Yugoslavia, Soviet team captured European title for third time by beating Czechoslovakia with margin of 7 points (69–62) in a decisive match of the final round. Bulgaria took bronze European Championship medals for first time. On the next tournament which was held in Czechoslovakia in 1956, Soviet team took gold medals for fourth time in a row by beating Hungarians in the final match (49–41) while hosts took bronze.

1958 European Championships which was held in Łódź, Poland became remarkable event. Soviet Union, the winner of four previous tournaments, lost European title for first time. In the decisive match of final round, Bulgaria led by Vanya Voynova managed to beat Soviet team in overtime (54–51) and to break Soviet dominance. This victory was remarkable – it's enough to say that this defeat (alongside with Soviet defeat to United States at the 1957 World Championship) remained the only two defeats in the history of participation of Soviet team at all international basketball competitions during very long time – till 1986. Next year Soviet Union took revenge by beating Bulgaria in the decisive match of the 1959 World Championship which was held in Moscow (51–38). The next European Championship was held in 1960 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Soviet team returned European title although this victory was more difficult. They achieved victory over Czechoslovakia (future bronze medalists) with margin of just two points (58–56). In the decisive match of final round, Soviet team again met with Bulgaria. After first half, Bulgarians led with margin of 9 points (22–13). However, in second half Soviet players managed to equal score and then achieve victory in overtime (52–50). Last 5 minutes and overtime of this match were played in an indoor hall of the National Stadium due to rain. Two years later European Championship was held in France. At the group round, Soviet Union defeated Czechoslovakia only in overtime (51–49). Later both teams reached final match where Soviet team won with a bigger advantage (63–46). At the next 1964 European Championships which was held in Hungary, Soviet team won third title in a row by beating Bulgaria in the final match with margin of just two points (55–53). Two years later at the 1966 European Championships in Romania, Soviet team won over Czechoslovakia in a final match (74–66).

1968 European Championships which was held in Italy became debut for legendary center Uļjana (Iulijaka) Semjonova. This giant 2.10-meter tall player played key role in Soviet team for next 18 years. From 1968 to 1985, she played at 10 European Championships and always won gold. Before Semjonova's debut, the vast majority of decisive matches were ended with favour of Soviet team but with relatively close margin. With Semjonova in the squad, the superiority of Soviet Union over opponents became overwhelming. Other prominent European basketball national teams at that time, such as Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria or Hungary were huge step behind the Soviet Union. Soviet team played 74 games during these 10 tournaments, and the slimmest margin of victory was 16 points. Another architect of the success of Soviet basketball was Lidiya Alekseyeva (1924–2014) who took direct participation in 16 Soviet victories at the European Championships – firstly as team captain (4 titles from 1950 to 1956), then as assistant coach (1962) and later as a head coach of national team (record 11 titles from 1964 to 1983). Soviet team was unbeaten not only in Europe, but also in the world. From 1959 to 1985, Soviet Union won all international competitions in which they participated without losing any match - 14 European Championships, 6 World Championships (1959, 1964, 1967, 1971, 1975 and 1983) and 2 Olympic tournaments (1976 and 1980).

After the 1980 Olympic Games and 1980 European Championships, it was decided to hold women's continental tournament biennially each odd year – just like men's European Basketball Championship. Soviet team continued to win but in late 1980s, as a result of changing of generation, their superiority became not such overwhelming as it was before. In 1986 they suffered first defeats at international competition for 28 years - at first, they lost to United States at the decisive match of the 1986 Goodwill Games with margin of 23 points (60–83) and next month they lost to US team with margin of 20 points (88–108) in the final match of home World Championship (both matches were played in Moscow). Nevertheless, Soviet team continued to dominate at European area. They won 1987 European Championship held in Spain after beating Czechoslovakia (89–81) in semifinals and Yugoslavia (83–73) in the final match. But next year at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, Yugoslavia managed to perform better - they took silver medals by losing just 7 points to US team in the final match (70–77) while Soviet team surprisingly failed to reach final and unexpectively finished only at third place for first time in their history. At the group round of the 1989 European Championship held in Bulgaria, Soviet team defeated Czechoslovakia and Netherlands with margin of just 3 points (78–75 and 59–56 respectively) and then reached final where defeated Czechoslovakia once again with same margin (64–61). But at the 1990 World Championship in Malaysia, Soviet Union lost in the second group round to Czechoslovakia (79–82) and Yugoslavia (63–64) and finished only at fifth place. It was first and only time when Soviet team failed to reach podium at the international competition where they participated. Like two years ago, Yugoslavia took silver medals after losing to US in the final match (78–88).

At the next 1991 European Championship held in Israel, Yugoslavia managed to beat Soviet team at the group round (75–74). It was only second defeat of Soviet Union at the continental championships and the first since 1958. Despite this defeat, Soviet team reached final match where met with Yugoslavia once again. In this final, Yugoslavia led with margin of 14 points after first half (53–39), but in the second half Soviet players managed to change situation and won match with margin of 13 points (97–84). It was last participation of Soviet team at the European Championships. Their dominance at this tournament was simply unimaginable. The facts speak for itself: participation in 22 championships resulted in 21 titles as European Champions, 151 matches and 149 wins (the only two defeats: in overtime to Bulgaria in 1958 and one-point defeat by Yugoslavia in 1991), including 114 consecutive wins between 1958 and 1991. It's hard to imagine that any other team from any other sport could ever equal these amazing achievement. Next year the former Soviet players who completed for Unified Team at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain as a result of Soviet Union's dissolution in December 1991, managed to achieve surprising success after shocking victory over United States in semifinals (79–73) and victory over China in the final match (76–66). There was last participation of Soviet basketball at the international competitions and true "true swan song" of Soviet team which ceased to exist after that.

During four decades, vast majority of the European Championships ended with very predictable results - Soviet Union took gold medals while silver and bronze medals went to other Eastern European teams. However, in early 1990s situation totally changed after dissolution of Soviet Union, SFR Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. It opened way for the success of other national teams and made European Championships much less predictable. At the 1993 European Championships which was held in Italy, Slovakia took bronze medals and became only newly formed national team who managed to reach podium. For the first time, two Western European teams played in the final match – Spain took their maiden European title by beating France (63–53). It's remarkable that not one of medalists reached the podium at the next 1995 European Championships which was held in Czech Republic. Led by Olympic Champions Maryna Tkachenko and Olena Zhyrko, Ukraine became the first post-Soviet national team to win European title after victories over Russia in semifinals (69–64) and over Italy in the final match (77–66). Russian team also took podium after beating Slovakia in the bronze medal match (69–50). 1997 European Championships became successful for Lithuania who beat Slovakia in the final match (72–62) while Germany took bronze medals and reached podium for first time after the German reunification. Two years later Poland achieved their maiden success at the home 1999 European Championships by beating France in the final match (59–56) while Russia took bronze medals. In 2001 France also won maiden European title at home championship after victory over Russia in the final match (73–68).

The next two tournaments finished by final matches between Russia and Czech Republic. In 2003, Russia won with score 59–56 and achieved their first European title after dissolution of Soviet Union. In 2005, Czech Republic took revenge (72–70) and also achieved their maiden trophy while Spain won bronze medals for third time in a row. Two years later Russia won European title for second time after victory over Spain in the final match (74–68) while Belarus took bronze medals and reached podium for first time. In 2009, France defeated Russia in the final match (57–53) and became European Champions for second time while Spain finished 3rd. Two years later Russia won European Championship for third time by beating Turkey women's national basketball team in the final match (59–42). Nevertheless, it was first European medals for Turkish team. France won bronze medals. At next four European Championship, French team reach final matches but lost all four matches. In 2013 at the home championship, they lost final to Spanish team with margin of just one point (69–70). In 2015, French players lost final match to Serbia who won European title for first time. 2017 and 2019 finals were ended in favour of Spain who defeated France (71–55 and 86–66 respectively) thus becoming first national team since 1991 years who managed to defend their own European title. The next 2021 European Championship was co-hosted by France and Spain. It was won by Serbia – for second time in history. France lost final match for fifth time in a row (54–63) while Belgium finished in third place.

The 38 European Championship tournaments have been won by 11 different nations. The most successful nation is the now defunct Soviet Union with 21 titles. The other European Championship winners are Spain, with four titles; Russia, with three titles; France and Serbia, with two titles each; as well as Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine, with one title each.

Results[]

Summaries[]

Year	Host		Gold medal game				Bronze medal game
			Gold	Score	Silver		Bronze	Score	Fourth place
1938 Details	Italy		Italy	Round robin	Lithuania		Poland	Round robin	France
1950 Details	Hungary		Soviet Union	Round robin	Hungary		Czechoslovakia	Round robin	France
1952 Details	Soviet Union		Soviet Union	Round robin	Czechoslovakia		Hungary	Round robin	Bulgaria
1954 Details	Yugoslavia		Soviet Union	Round robin	Czechoslovakia		Bulgaria	Round robin	Hungary
1956 Details	Czechoslovakia		Soviet Union	49–41	Hungary		Czechoslovakia	91–60	Bulgaria
1958 Details	Poland		Bulgaria	Round robin	Soviet Union		Czechoslovakia	Round robin	Yugoslavia
1960 Details	Bulgaria		Soviet Union	Round robin	Bulgaria		Czechoslovakia	Round robin	Poland
1962 Details	France		Soviet Union	63–46	Czechoslovakia		Bulgaria	48–36	Romania
1964 Details	Hungary		Soviet Union	55–53	Bulgaria		Czechoslovakia	68–47	Romania
1966 Details	Romania		Soviet Union	74–66	Czechoslovakia		East Germany	65–60	Romania
1968 Details	Italy		Soviet Union	Round robin	Yugoslavia		Poland	Round robin	East Germany
1970 Details	Netherlands		Soviet Union	94–33	France		Yugoslavia	77–66	Bulgaria
1972 Details	Bulgaria		Soviet Union	Round robin	Bulgaria		Czechoslovakia	Round robin	France
1974 Details	Italy		Soviet Union	Round robin	Czechoslovakia		Italy	Round robin	Hungary
1976 Details	France		Soviet Union	Round robin	Czechoslovakia		Bulgaria	Round robin	France
1978 Details	Poland		Soviet Union	Round robin	Yugoslavia		Czechoslovakia	Round robin	France
1980 Details	Yugoslavia		Soviet Union	95–49	Poland		Yugoslavia	61–57	Czechoslovakia
1981 Details	Italy		Soviet Union	85–42	Poland		Czechoslovakia	76–74	Yugoslavia
1983 Details	Hungary		Soviet Union	91–70	Bulgaria		Hungary	82–79	Yugoslavia
1985 Details	Italy		Soviet Union	103–69	Bulgaria		Hungary	103–76	Czechoslovakia
1987 Details	Spain		Soviet Union	83–73	Yugoslavia		Hungary	75–67	Czechoslovakia
1989 Details	Bulgaria		Soviet Union	64–61	Czechoslovakia		Bulgaria	79–69	Yugoslavia
1991 Details	Israel		Soviet Union	97–84	Yugoslavia		Hungary	65–61	Bulgaria
1993 Details	Italy		Spain	63–53	France		Slovakia	68–67	Italy
1995 Details	Czech Republic		Ukraine	77–66	Italy		Russia	69–50	Slovakia
1997 Details	Hungary		Lithuania	72–62	Slovakia		Germany	86–61	Hungary
1999 Details	Poland		Poland	59–56	France		Russia	78–49	Slovakia
2001 Details	France		France	73–68	Russia		Spain	89–74	Lithuania
2003 Details	Greece		Russia	59–56	Czech Republic		Spain	87–81	Poland
2005 Details	Turkey		Czech Republic	72–70	Russia		Spain	83–65	Lithuania
2007 Details	Italy		Russia	74–68	Spain		Belarus	72–63	Latvia
2009 Details	Latvia		France	57–53	Russia		Spain	63–56	Belarus
2011 Details	Poland		Russia	59–42	Turkey		France	63–56	Czech Republic
2013 Details	France		Spain	70–69	France		Turkey	92–71	Serbia
2015 Details	Hungary  Romania		Serbia	76–68	France		Spain	74–58	Belarus
2017 Details	Czech Republic		Spain	71–55	France		Belgium	78–45	Greece
2019 Details	Latvia  Serbia		Spain	86–66	France		Serbia	81–55	Great Britain
2021 Details	France  Spain		Serbia	63–54	France		Belgium	77–69	Belarus
2023 Details	Slovenia  Israel

Medal table[]

Countries in italics no longer compete at the European Championships.

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Soviet Union	21	1	0	22
2	Spain	4	1	5	10
3	Russia	3	3	2	8
4	France	2	8	1	11
5	Serbia	2	0	1	3
6	Bulgaria	1	5	4	10
7	Poland	1	2	2	5
8	Italy	1	1	1	3
9	Czech Republic	1	1	0	2
	Lithuania	1	1	0	2
11	Ukraine	1	0	0	1
12	Czechoslovakia	0	7	8	15
13	Yugoslavia	0	4	2	6
14	Hungary	0	2	5	7
15	Slovakia	0	1	1	2
	Turkey	0	1	1	2
17	Belgium	0	0	2	2
18	Belarus	0	0	1	1
	East Germany	0	0	1	1
	Germany	0	0	1	1
Totals (20 nations)		38	38	38	114

Participating nations[]

Nation	1938	1950	1952	1954	1956	1958	1960	1962	1964	1966	1968	1970	1972	1974	1976	1978	1980	1981	1983
Austria		10th	9th	8th	8th	10th						11th	12th
Belarus	played as part of the Soviet Union
Belgium		8th					10th	10th			7th	12th			12th		13th
Bosnia and Herzegovina	played as part of Yugoslavia
Bulgaria			4th	3rd	4th	1st	2nd	3rd	2nd	7th	5th	4th	2nd	5th	3rd	7th	5th	5th	2nd
Croatia	played as part of Yugoslavia
Czech Republic	played as part of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia		3rd	2nd	2nd	3rd	3rd	3rd	2nd	3rd	2nd	9th	5th	3rd	2nd	2nd	3rd	4th	3rd	6th
Denmark				10th	13th									13th
East Germany			12th			9th			6th	3rd	4th		7th
England																	14th
Finland			11th		11th												12th	12th
France	4th	4th	7th	6th	7th	6th		8th	10th	11th	11th	2nd	4th	7th	4th	4th	11th
Germany				9th	15th					12th	13th			10th	13th	12th		10th	12th
Great Britain					X												X
Greece
Hungary		2nd	3rd	4th	2nd	7th	9th	7th	8th	9th	10th	10th	6th	4th	8th	6th	7th	9th	3rd
Israel		11th
Italy	1st	5th	6th	7th	6th		7th	9th	9th	10th	6th	9th	10th	3rd	7th	9th	9th	7th|	5th
Latvia	played as part of the Soviet Union
Lithuania	2nd	played as part of the Soviet Union
Moldova	played as part of the Soviet Union
Montenegro	played as part of Yugoslavia
Netherlands		12th			12th	8th	8th			5th	12th	7th	11th	11th	11th	10th	6th	6th	8th
Poland	3rd	6th	5th		5th	5th	4th	6th	5th	8th	3rd	6th	9th	9th	6th	5th	2nd	2nd	7th
Romania		7th	10th		10th		6th	4th	4th	4th	8th	8th	5th	6th	9th	8th	8th	8th	9th
Russia	played as part of the Soviet Union
Scotland					16th
Serbia	played as part of Yugoslavia
Slovakia	played as part of Czechoslovakia
Slovenia	played as part of Yugoslavia
Soviet Union		1st	1st	1st	1st	2nd	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st
Spain														12th	10th	11th	10th		11th
Sweden																13th		11th	10th
Switzerland	5th	9th	8th		14th
Turkey
Ukraine	played as part of the Soviet Union
Yugoslavia				5th	9th	4th	5th	5th	7th	6th	2nd	3rd	8th	8th	5th	2nd	3rd	4th	4th
Total	5	12	12	10	16	10	10	10	10	12	13	12	12	13	13	13	14	12	12

Nation	1985	1987	1989	1991	1993	1995	1997	1999	2001	2003	2005	2007	2009	2011	2013	2015	2017	2019	2021	2023	Overall Appearances
Austria																					7
Belarus	see Soviet Union											3rd	4th	9th	5th	4th	15th	13th	4th		8
Belgium	12th									6th		7th					3rd	5th	3rd		13
Bosnia and Herzegovina	see Yugoslavia						12th	10th											5th		3
Bulgaria	2nd	9th	3rd	4th	6th																22
Croatia	see Yugoslavia					8th		8th				13th		5th	11th	12th			11th		7
Czech Republic	see Czechoslovakia					7th	9th	5th	9th	2nd	1st	5th	9th	4th	6th	11th	13th	15th	15th		14
Czechoslovakia	4th	4th	2nd	5th		defunct															22
Denmark																					3
East Germany					reunited with Germany																6
England														X	X	X		X			1
Finland		12th																			5
France	8th	8th	8th		2nd	11th		2nd	1st	5th	5th	8th	1st	3rd	2nd	2nd	2nd	2nd	2nd		33
Germany						14th	3rd	12th			11th	11th		13th							15
Great Britain														11th	9th	20th		4th			4
Greece									10th	9th	10th	13th	5th	13th		10th	4th		16th		9
Hungary	3rd	3rd	7th	3rd	8th	12th	4th		7th	10th			13th			17th	12th	7th			31
Israel				8th						12th		13th	13th	13th						Q	7
Italy	7th	5th	5th	7th	4th	2nd	11th	11th				9th	6th		8th	15th	7th	9th	9th		33
Latvia	see Soviet Union							9th			6th	4th	7th	8th	15th	13th	6th	11th			9
Lithuania	see Soviet Union					5th	1st	6th	4th		4th	6th	11th	7th	14th	8th					11
Moldova	see Soviet Union					6th	7th														2
Montenegro	see Yugoslavia					see Serbia and Montenegro								6th	10th	7th	16th	12th	12th		6
Netherlands	11th		6th																		16
Poland	6th	10th		6th	5th			1st	6th	4th	7th		11th	11th		18th					29
Romania	9th	11th				13th			12th		12th	13th				19th					23
Russia	see Soviet Union				7th	3rd	6th	3rd	2nd	1st	2nd	1st	2nd	1st	13th	6th	9th	8th	6th		15
Scotland														X	X	X		X			1
Serbia	see Yugoslavia									8th	9th	11th	13th		4th	1st	11th	3rd	1st		9
Slovakia	see Czechoslovakia				3rd	4th	2nd	4th	8th	7th			8th	13th	12th	9th	8th		13th		12
Slovenia	see Yugoslavia																14th	10th	10th	Q	4
Soviet Union	1st	1st	1st	1st	defunct																22
Spain	10th	6th			1st	9th	5th		3rd	3rd	3rd	2nd	3rd	9th	1st	3rd	1st	1st	7th		21
Sweden		7th													7th	14th		6th	8th		8
Switzerland																					4
Turkey											8th	9th	9th	2nd	3rd	5th	5th	14th	14th		9
Ukraine	see Soviet Union					1st	10th		11th	11th			13th		16th	16th	10th	16th			9
Yugoslavia	5th	2nd	4th	2nd		10th	8th	7th	5th	defunct											24
Total	12	12	8	8	8	14	12	12	12	12	12	16	16	16	16	20	16	16	16	16

Most successful players[]

Boldface denotes active basketball players and highest medal count among all players (including these who not included in these tables) per type.

Multiple gold medalists[]

Rank	Player	Country	From	To	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Uļjana (Iulijaka) Semjonova	Soviet Union	1968	1985	10	–	–	10
2	Olga Sukharnova	Soviet Union	1972	1987	9	–	–	9
3	Olesya Barel	Soviet Union	1980	1989	6	–	–	6
	Olga Buryakina (Yerofeyeva)	Soviet Union	1978	1987	6	–	–	6
	Nadezhda Olkhova (Shuvayeva)	Soviet Union	1974	1983	6	–	–	6
	Tatyana Ovechkina (Kabayeva)	Soviet Union	1970	1980	6	–	–	6
	Galina Savitskaya (Krisevich)	Soviet Union	1980	1989	6	–	–	6
8		Soviet Union	1962	1970	5	–	–	5
	Skaidrīte Budovska (Smildziņa)	Soviet Union	1960	1968	5	–	–	5
		Soviet Union	1978	1985	5	–	–	5
	Nelli Feryabnikova (Bilmayer)	Soviet Union	1970	1978	5	–	–	5
		Soviet Union	1956	1966	5	–	–	5
	Nadezhda Zakharova	Soviet Union	1968	1976	5	–	–	5

Multiple medalists[]

The table shows those who have won at least 7 medals in total at the Eurobasket Women.

Rank	Player	Country	From	To	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Uļjana (Iulijaka) Semjonova	Soviet Union	1968	1985	10	–	–	10
2	Olga Sukharnova	Soviet Union	1972	1987	9	–	–	9
3	Laia Palau	Spain	2003	2019	3	1	4	8
4	Maria Stepanova	Russia	1999	2011	3	3	1	7
5	Endéné Miyem	France	2009	2021	1	5	1	7
6		Czechoslovakia	1952	1964	–	3	4	7

Tournament awards[]

Most recent award winners (2021)

Year	Winner
2021	Sonja Vasić

Year	Player	Position	Team
2021	Julie Allemand	Guard	Belgium
	Sonja Vasić	Forward	Serbia
	Endéné Miyem	Forward	France
	Emma Meesseman	Center	Belgium
	Jonquel Jones	Center	Bosnia and Herzegovina

See also[]

• Basketball at the Olympic Games
• EuroBasket
• FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup
• FIBA Women's European Championship for Small Countries
• FIBA Europe U-20 Championship for Women
• FIBA Europe U-18 Championship for Women
• FIBA Europe U-16 Championship for Women

References[]

• "Women Basketball European Championships Archive". todor66.com. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
• "EuroBasket Women : presentation and medal winners". the-sports.org. Retrieved 15 June 2013.

External links[]

• Official website
• FIBA Europe official website