Portugal is celebrating a monumental achievement in its sporting history: for the first time ever, both the men's and women's national basketball teams have qualified for EuroBasket in the same year, with their sights set on EuroBasket 2025. This dual qualification is not merely a fortunate coincidence but the culmination of over a decade of strategic planning, the emergence of generational talent, and a profound shift in the nation's basketball landscape, echoing the Portuguese adage, "quem espera sempre alcança" – good things come to those who wait.

For many years, basketball in Portugal existed in the considerable shadow of football, a sport dominated by national icons. The Portuguese Basketball Federation (FPB) was founded in 1927, with the first official league established in 1932. Despite a long domestic history with the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (LPB), international success remained elusive. The men's national team had only reached EuroBasket on three prior occasions – 1951, 2007, and 2011 – securing just five victories in total across these campaigns. The women's national team, until this groundbreaking qualification, had never reached the prestigious European championship.

The journey to this historic dual qualification has been described as a "quiet revolution." Behind the scenes, the FPB initiated significant overhauls to its national youth programs and invested heavily in coaching clinics. Simultaneously, the domestic leagues, both the LBP for men and the Liga Feminina for women, began to attract higher-quality talent and gain more visibility, with clubs making substantial investments in their women's teams. This concerted effort laid a new foundation for the sport's growth.

The fruits of these strategic efforts became increasingly apparent in the late 2010s. Portuguese junior teams started to make significant inroads in FIBA Division B competitions. A key milestone was the U20 men's team winning gold at the Division B EuroBasket in 2019, where Rafael Lisboa was named MVP. Further highlighting the developing talent pipeline, the women’s U18 team secured a silver medal in their Division B tournament in 2022.

The men's team's success has been driven by a blend of seasoned experience and dynamic new talent. US-born forward Travante Williams, who became a Portuguese citizen, has been instrumental with his scoring prowess (13.8 points per game) and defensive tenacity (3 steals per game) during the EuroBasket Qualifiers. He is complemented by veteran leader Miguel Queiroz, boasting over 100 caps, and the imposing presence of Neemias Queta, the first Portuguese player drafted into the NBA, who previously led the U20 team to gold in 2019 and is anticipated for EuroBasket 2025. Rising stars like Ruben Prey and Rafael Lisboa, who played a crucial role in the 2025 Qualifiers, further bolster the squad.

Travante Williams' journey to representing Portugal began in 2016 with a call from UD Oliveirense. He quickly made an impact, contributing to two championship wins in his first two years. Reflecting on his six years playing in Portugal, he credits this period with teaching him "how to be a pro." Williams has deeply embraced his adopted nation, stating, "I like to call Portugal my first love." He also observed the rising standards in the league, remarking, "As soon as I touched down in Portugal, the level increased. But seriously, we started bringing in higher caliber players, and local guys stepped up too."

The women's team has also demonstrated a formidable collective strength, with several players consistently delivering key performances throughout their qualifying campaign. Maria João Bettencourt (averaging 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game), Maria Kostourkova (a dominant force on the boards with 9.7 rebounds per game), and Marcia da Costa (contributing 11.3 points and 2.5 steals per game) have been central figures in Portugal’s steady ascent. Their combined efforts, alongside teammates like Carolina Rodrigues, reflect a win-by-committee approach that has proven highly effective in securing their historic qualification.

Integral to the success of both national teams are their respective coaches: Mario Gomes guiding the men and Ricardo Vasconcelos leading the women. They have successfully instilled a philosophy centered on robust team defense and unwavering discipline. Crucially, they have fostered a culture of belief and ambition within their squads, challenging the long-held notion that Portugal could not consistently compete at Europe's highest basketball echelons.

The men's team secured their qualification for EuroBasket 2025 during a dramatic final window of matches in Riga. Requiring just one more win to book their ticket, their place was ultimately confirmed when Slovenia defeated Ukraine – a game the Portuguese team watched anxiously together on their bus just moments before their own tip-off. Williams described the delayed celebration as "surreal." This achievement marked their return to EuroBasket after a 14-year absence, this time with significantly heightened expectations.

Meanwhile, the women's team etched their names into Portuguese sporting history with a commanding 57–40 victory over Serbia in Coimbra. This decisive win, achieved in front of an ecstatic home crowd, secured their first-ever EuroBasket qualification, sparking delirious celebrations. Coach Ricardo Vasconcelos hailed the moment as a "historical landmark," while player Carolina Rodrigues eloquently stated, "It is the first time in history that this happens, it is an honour to be here... this hasn’t fallen from heaven. We have been working towards this for a lot of years, a lot of generations."

Looking ahead, EuroBasket 2025 presents formidable challenges for both Portuguese squads. The men's team is drawn into a tough group featuring basketball powerhouses like Türkiye and Serbia. The women will face difficult opponents including Belgium and Montenegro, both of whom are top 20 teams in the FIBA world rankings, presented by Nike. Despite the tough road ahead, the mindset within the Portuguese camps has palpably shifted. Travante Williams boldly articulated their ambitions: "I have to remind you guys that in 2011, there were no wins for Portugal in that EuroBasket. We're going into this one saying we're gonna win the whole thing. We don’t fear anybody — not Giannis [Antetokounmpo], not [Nikola] Jokic. We’re here to fight.”

This newfound confidence is further encapsulated by Williams' assertion: "We’re not coming in as high-ranked. We don’t have the stars, but we’ve got Portuguese pride. We know who we are, and we want the world to know too." Beyond the immediate competitive goals of the tournament, this dual qualification serves as a powerful source of inspiration for the next generation of Portuguese basketball players. Williams highlighted this broader impact, sharing, "You hear it all the time now — kids saying they saw us play and they want to play too. That’s everything." He also pointed to the development of local talent, citing Andre Cruz, whom he played with as a teenager, as an example of a player who has become one of the best in Portugal.

While EuroBasket 2025 stands as a hugely significant milestone, there is a strong belief that it could herald the dawn of a golden era for Portuguese basketball. With continued investment in youth development programs, a growing pool of talented local stars, and an invigorated national basketball culture led by passionate players like Williams, Portugal's journey as a rising force in European basketball appears to be just beginning. Williams himself sees a personal mission in this ascent: "There’s a lot of Portuguese guys that deserve to be playing at higher levels. My job is to show that we can compete with anybody — and bring my brothers along with me." As they prepare for the championship, both teams aim not only to bask in the glory of their historic achievement but also to make a significant and lasting impact on the court.