The chase for EuroBasket glory has reached the elimination rounds, and the stage could not be brighter. With games being hosted across Poland, Latvia, Cyprus and Finland, the tournament has already delivered fireworks, and now the stars of Europe are preparing to decide who will stand tallest. Among the headline names are Nikola Jokić with Serbia, Luka Dončić leading Slovenia and Giannis Antetokounmpo powering Greece.
Serbia begins its knockout run against Lauri Markkanen and Finland, while Sunday brings two more marquee clashes. Greece squares off with Israel, and Dončić will try to guide Slovenia past Italy in a heavyweight battle.
How the Round of 16 Opened
The action began on September 6 with Türkiye edging out Sweden in a tense contest, 85-79. Germany followed with a commanding display against Portugal, winning 85-58 to cement their reputation as one of the tournament’s most complete teams. Later that day, Lithuania and Latvia were set to renew their long-standing rivalry, with Serbia and Finland closing out the slate in a matchup of Jokić versus Markkanen.
Sunday’s fixtures promised just as much intrigue. Hosts Poland prepared to meet Bosnia and Herzegovina early in the morning, while France looked to carry momentum into their game against Georgia. The spotlight, however, would shift to the afternoon, where Italy and Slovenia’s clash of styles set the stage for fireworks before Antetokounmpo’s Greece tested themselves against Israel.
The Road Through the Group Stage
Each group told its own story during the opening rounds. Türkiye was flawless in Group A, sweeping all five of their games, while Serbia stumbled only once to secure second place. Latvia fought hard to finish with a winning record, while Portugal managed to sneak a couple of wins. Estonia picked up just one victory, and Czechia’s tournament ended without a single success.
In Group B, Germany’s dominance was unquestionable, posting a perfect 5-0 record highlighted by a 120-57 demolition of Great Britain. Lithuania followed closely with four wins, while Finland rounded out the top three. Sweden, Montenegro and Great Britain each endured frustrating campaigns, managing only one win apiece.
Group C produced drama throughout. Italy and Greece both finished with 4-1 records, sharing the top spot. Bosnia and Herzegovina impressed by knocking off Greece in a nail-biting 80-77 upset. Spain and Georgia each had mixed fortunes, while Cyprus failed to secure a victory.
Group D was perhaps the tightest race. France led the way with a 4-1 record, while Slovenia, Israel and Poland all finished tied at 3-2, forcing tie-breakers to sort their order. Belgium came close but ended just short at 2-3, and Iceland’s hopes evaporated after finishing winless.
Memorable Nights and Stunning Results
The group phase featured contests that will be remembered long after the tournament ends. France lit up the scoreboard with a 114-74 rout of Iceland, a performance that showed their offensive firepower. Türkiye turned heads when they toppled Serbia 95-90, proving they belong among the elite.
Slovenia’s 106-96 shootout win over Israel was one of the tournament’s most entertaining games, while Greece scraped past Spain 90-86 in a thriller. Italy handled Cyprus with ease in an 89-54 victory, yet Bosnia and Herzegovina made the loudest statement of all when they stunned Greece 80-77, shaking up Group C.
Israel also made headlines, taking down France 82-69 in one of the shocks of the early rounds. Meanwhile, Germany established itself as the tournament’s juggernaut, highlighted not just by their enormous win over Great Britain but also by convincing triumphs against Finland and Lithuania.
Looking Ahead
The group battles are now over, and the knockout path is clear. The quarterfinals will be played on September 9 and 10, followed by semifinals on September 12. The medal games, including the championship, are set for September 14.
The Stars of EuroBasket 2025
The tournament continues to be a showcase of international NBA talent. Alongside Dončić, Jokić and Antetokounmpo, fans have enjoyed the presence of Kristaps Porziņģis, Nikola Vučević, Lauri Markkanen, Franz Wagner, Jonas Valančiūnas, Alperen Şengün, Bilal Coulibaly and Deni Avdija.
Yet France is noticeably missing two cornerstones. Victor Wembanyama, after last year’s health scare with a blood clot, chose to prioritize recovery this summer. Rudy Gobert also elected to rest after a grueling NBA campaign. Their absences may have altered France’s ceiling, but the team has still managed to make its presence felt.
EuroBasket 2025 is now a sprint to the finish. With stars shining, upsets brewing and national pride on the line, the knockout rounds promise a finale worthy of the tournament’s rich history.
