FIBA Ranking: Spain erases gap from USA / News - Basketnews.com

Spain is less than 2 points behind the USA in FIBA World Ranking and might overtake it for the first time in the ranking's history in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers windows.

Credit: Federación Española de Baloncesto Credit Federación Española de Baloncesto

The United States remains the top-ranked team in the world but their ranking points are now less than 2 above Spain.

Second place still belongs to Spain, who surprised many by claiming gold at the EuroBasket 2022 to push to 758.9 points - up from 724 points.

The number one spot will be at stake during the last two windows of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. The USA falling out of the top spot has never happened before since the inception of the FIBA World Ranking.

Europe saw a number of teams make solid gains in the ranking - combined with EuroBasket performance and strong showings in the windows.

Finland collected wins over Sweden, Croatia, Israel, and Estonia to become the first European team to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and then reached the Quarter-Finals of EuroBasket, helping them rise from 34 to 25th. Montenegro climbed from 24 to 18th after knocking off France, Portugal, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in European Qualifiers and advancing to the Round of 16 of EuroBasket.

Belgium used wins over Slovakia, Serbia, and Great Britain in addition to a Round of 16 showing at EuroBasket to move up seven spots to 29th.

EuroBasket cinderella Semi-Finalist Poland may not move up in the ranking this time around, but they now possess almost 30 more points than the previous one and are closing in on the Czech Republic for 12th place.

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