GB with eyes on the prize, starting with Estonia

Great Britain’s Women entertain Estonia in Manchester on Thursday, 6 February, in their penultimate FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier with all eyes fixed on their group. 

A win over the Estonians in the north-west will be a massive first step as GB enters a critical stage in their quest to qualify for this summer’s FIBA Women’s EuroBasket. 

“We are all excited about this last window,” said Great Britain Women’s coach Anna Montanana.

“We want to squeeze all the possibilities to be in the next EuroBasket, but we want to take it day by day. First, get everyone back together, practice, and connect again, focusing on the Estonia game first.”

With Sweden’s ticket to the showpiece event already booked, the focus turns to the remaining three teams in Group D, with Denmark also in the mix.

Great Britain’s two wins in the group have come against Estonia and Denmark, so they sit in the front seat alongside Sweden.

Women's EuroBasket Group D

Two wins could seal their place at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket as one of the best runners-up. GB plays Denmark in their final Qualifier on Sunday afternoon.

Neither GB, Estonia, nor Denmark can qualify after Thursday night’s games so that a win would give Great Britain the upper hand ahead of Sunday’s trip to Denmark.

Amongst the players currently in training camp this week are Temi Fagbenle, who leads GB in scoring at 18.0 points and 9.5 rebounds a game, supported by Holly Winterburn, who leads the team in assists at 7.7 a game along with 17.3 points.

Savannah Wilkinson rounds up the top three, averaging 11.0 points and 7.0 boards in the Qualifiers. 

Great Britain's record against Estonia since 2021 is good. Two years ago, they qualified for FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 at their expense with a resounding 100-45 win.

However, GB did stumble to the Estonians earlier in those Qualifiers, falling to a 72-69 defeat.

Montanana's side restored clarity in Tallinn during these Qualifiers with an 83-45 win in November 2023, as Temi Fagbenle exploded for 32 points and nine rebounds.

The Spanish tactician is aware that Estonia has dramatically improved since their last meeting, pointing to their recent victory over Denmark as an indicator of their growth.

"The result of the first game between Estonia and Great Britain doesn't reflect how they are now," said Montanana.

"Estonia has grown as a team and individually in the past months. They beat Denmark in their last game; therefore, we need to approach this game with the right mentality and focus that will be needed."

That focus on such a vital stage will be needed in the final window against Estonia, who field a familiar face to their roster in Caledonia Gladiators' Tea Adams.

Adams averages a shade under 10 points a game in the Qualifiers, shooting 43.8% from the field. Estonia's leading scorer is Kadri Ann-Lass, who scores 12.5 points a contest, but she has only appeared in two of Estonia's four games.

Estonia's threat is present, as Montanana calls on the tremendous support in Manchester to help steer the women to victory on Thursday.

"We love to come back to Manchester. We have all we need to prepare for the games, and we are fortunate to have come back to a familiar place," she said.

"We would love to have that support shown in the game against Denmark; it will definitely help us in such an important game for GB."

You can purchase your tickets to support Great Britain in Manchester on Thursday, 6 February here.