EuroBasket Day 13: Quarterfinals, Second Day

  • Last Updated on September 11, 2025 7:51 am by André Lemos | Published: September 11, 2025

    Finland punched a ticket to uncharted territory and Germany showed why they’re the World champs, setting up a semi-final that feels both fresh and inevitable. The Finns didn’t just beat Georgia, they dismantled them with depth, pace and an avalanche of threes that made foul trouble and frustration the headlines on the other side. Germany, meanwhile, got a full dose of Luka Magic, 39 points worth of it and still found a way to survive, leaning on balance, composure and a well-timed surge to stay unbeaten. Put it together and you’ve got one team making history, another clinging to its crown and a collision course that promises to be as much about identity as it is about talent.

    Finland 93, Georgia 79

    Finland made history in Riga, defeating Georgia 93–79 to secure their first-ever spot in a EuroBasket Semi-Final.

    The start suited Georgia, who slowed the tempo and looked to Toko Shengelia on the block. Finland initially found it difficult to get rhythm, but once their second unit entered, the game tilted. A burst of stops and transition play, capped by Sasu Salin’s shooting, sparked a 16–3 run to close the opening quarter, giving Finland a 28–15 edge.

    From that moment, Finland dictated the pace. Their cutting game and quick decision-making kept Georgia chasing, while Mikael Jantunen provided an extra scoring lift. By halftime the gap had grown to 17, with Finland putting up 57 points on remarkable efficiency (60% FG, 10-of-15 from three). Their bench had already contributed 30 points, while Georgia were hampered by foul trouble, Goga Bitadze picking up his third and frustration boiling over into technical fouls.

    The third quarter brought a response. Sanadze fueled Georgia with quick scores, Giorgi Shermadini offered steadiness inside and their renewed effort on the offensive glass cut into the margin. They held Finland to 14 points in the frame and trailed just 71–62 after 30 minutes.

    Early in the fourth, Sandro Mamukelashvili’s dunk trimmed the deficit to six, giving Georgia a real chance. But a deep three from Miro Little calmed Finland, and shortly after, Bitadze was ejected following an unsportsmanlike foul. Jantunen and Valtonen then delivered back-to-back threes, restoring full control. Shengelia too exited in the final minutes after his own frustration boiled over, ending Georgia’s hopes.

    Finland’s balance and depth carried the night: Jantunen led with 19 points and 5 rebounds, Markkanen added 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks, while Salin’s spark off the bench pushed their total to 44 bench points.

    For Georgia, Mamukelashvili (22), Sanadze (19) and Shengelia (18) kept them competitive, but Baldwin was held to just 2 points and Bitadze’s foul trouble proved costly.

    Finland finished with 53% shooting, a lethal 55% from three, and 26 assists, a performance that showcased their unselfish, uptempo style. For a team that has been steadily climbing the EuroBasket ladder over the past decade, this breakthrough Semi-Final berth felt like the natural next step.

    Germany 99, Slovenia 91

    Germany’s unbeaten run survived its toughest test yet, but it came at the cost of surviving a Luka Doncic masterpiece. Slovenia came out sharper, crashing the glass for five offensive rebounds in the opening minutes and finding easy looks off adjusted pick-and-roll angles. Doncic controlled the pace with early transition assists and by the time Klemen Prepelic splashed a deep three near the end of the half, Slovenia had a deserved 51–45 lead. They were the more physical side and doubled up Germany in paint points during the first quarter.

    Germany’s offense sputtered early (1-of-7 from three in the 1Q) but Franz Wagner kept them within reach with timely buckets. Schroder added pace and creation, though Slovenia’s bench production (12–3 in the first half) gave them an extra boost. Doncic’s foul trouble hung over everything, he picked up his third before halftime and a fourth just minutes into the third quarter, but even with those limitations he pushed Slovenia ahead, scoring at will and drawing constant attention.

    The turning point came late in the third. Tristan da Silva buried a heave from beyond midcourt to trim the gap to four and Germany finally found rhythm. Obst’s three gave them their first lead early in the fourth and from there the champions leaned on inside touches for Theis and steady playmaking from Lo and Schroder. Slovenia’s response was always Doncic, he buried a late three to briefly reclaim the lead, but the supporting cast faded. By the time Omic fouled out and an exhausted Doncic missed a layup, Germany had built their biggest cushion of the night.

    The whistles loomed large. Slovenia’s camp left frustrated as Germany attempted 37 free throws to their 25 and the game’s flow often felt disjointed. Still, Germany’s ability to value possessions (just six turnovers) and push in transition (16–6 fast break points) made the difference.

    Doncic finished with 39 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, carrying a huge burden but without enough consistent help, Prepelic was held to 13 on poor shooting. For Germany, Wagner had 23, Schroder 20 and 7 assists and Theis added 15 with nine boards. Obst’s shot-making, plus Maodo Lo and Tristan da Silva’s spark off the bench were crucial in sealing the win.

    Germany advance to the semi-finals, where they’ll face Finland. For all their quality, one lingering concern will be how easily Slovenia controlled the offensive glass early an area future opponents will certainly target.

    This article was written by the European Hoops team: Tiago Cordeiro, João Caeiro, Diogo Valente and André Lemos. Make sure you give us a follow on Twitter at @EthosEuroleague!

    September 11, 2025, 7:51 am