Two semifinals, two very different stories. Finland’s dream run finally met a ceiling against a German team peaking at the right time, while Turkey’s unbeaten streak rolled on thanks to role-player eruption and a defensive masterclass against Giannis and Greece.

 

Germany 98, Finland 86

Finland, playing in their first-ever EuroBasket semifinal, came out energized. They leaned on smart baseline out-of-bounds actions and tried to run whenever possible, while Olivier Nkamhoua gave them an early scoring lift. Germany looked flat at the start, Franz Wagner missed some easy ones inside, but quickly found a rhythm by turning Finnish mistakes into transition chances. Schroder and Wagner took over late in the first, combining to punish poor closeouts and poor shot selection, sparking a 21–10 run that gave Germany a 30–26 edge after 10 minutes.

The second quarter swung sharply. Germany’s defense locked in, fronting the post and sending help from the weakside to force Finland into static halfcourt possessions. The result was a five-minute stretch without a point for Finland, while Schroder relentlessly got into the paint and Wagner found his touch. By halftime, Schroder had 10 and 8 assists, Wagner 23, and Germany led 61–47 after shooting 50% from three. The contrast was stark: Germany scored 12 points off seven Finnish turnovers, while Finland generated none in return.

Finland refused to fold. With Lauri Markkanen quiet and often static off the ball, the supporting cast, Nkamhoua, Valtonen, Maxhuni and Muurinen, stepped up in the third quarter. A 13–4 run off the bench slashed the lead back into single digits, capped by Nkamhoua’s confident finishing. Germany’s offense bogged down when Schroder sat with foul trouble, and suddenly it was 81–73 heading into the fourth.

But that was as close as Finland would get. Germany’s defense dictated the opening minutes of the final frame, holding Finland to just two points in five minutes. Theis steadied things inside despite battling foul trouble, and when Obst and da Silva buried back-to-back threes, the margin ballooned again. From there, Schroder closed it out with his mix of scoring and playmaking, ensuring there would be no upset.

The numbers reflected Germany’s control: a 15–6 edge in points off turnovers, a 26-of-31 mark from the free-throw line and only a two offensive rebound difference, an aspect of the game they needed to manage. Schroder was brilliant, finishing with 26 points and 12 assists, the most assists in a EuroBasket semifinal in the last 30 years, while Wagner added 22. Nkamhoua kept Finland afloat with 21 on perfect shooting for much of the night, but Markkanen’s 16 on 6-of-17 left the Wolfpack without the star punch they needed.

Germany march into their first EuroBasket final since 2005, their team proving to bee elite once again and their stars delivering in key moments. For Finland, the dream run continues in the third-place game, still with a chance to claim their first medal at this level.

 

Turkey 94, Greece 68

From the opening tip, Turkey’s game plan was clear: keep Giannis away from the paint defensively and punish Greece with spacing. They opened with pick-and-pop action, pulling Giannis out and forcing miscommunications. Ercan Osmani made every slip hurt, hitting his first four threes on the way to 11 points in the first five minutes. By the end of the quarter, he was a perfect 4-for-4 from deep and had 18 points in his first 13 minutes, setting the tone for a Turkish offense that built a 26–16 lead after one.

Greece had a brief spark from their bench, with Kostas Antetokounmpo giving energy and rim protection and Tyler Dorsey knocking down threes to keep them afloat early. But Turkey’s defense was suffocating. Sengun and Osman shaded toward Giannis on every drive, forcing him into contested finishes and heavy traffic, while Cedi Osman and Sehmus Hazer pressured the passing lanes. By halftime, Greece had already committed 12 turnovers and trailed 50–31, with Giannis stuck at 2-for-7 from the field.

In the second half, Ergin Ataman’s team never loosened its grip. Thanasis Antetokounmpo came in to guard Osmani, and Giannis shifted onto Sengun, but Turkey kept executing. Sengun finally found his rhythm inside, scoring over Giannis on the first possession of the third quarter and continuing to facilitate from the elbows, keeping Greece from ever mounting a sustained run.

The stat sheet told the story of Turkey’s balance and efficiency: 26 assists on 35 made field goals, just 9 offensive rebounds allowed and another night of elite shooting (45.5% from three). Osmani finished with a career night: 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 6-of-8 from three, without a single free throw attempt. Cedi Osman added 17 points and a game-high +32 plus/minus, while Sengun posted 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists despite a slow start on the scoring department.

For Greece, turnovers were fatal. Their 22 giveaways are the most in a EuroBasket semifinal in three decades, and they simply never found an offensive flow. Giannis battled for 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, but Turkey’s collective defense crowded him into frustration. Outside of Dorsey’s early threes, Greece got little consistency from their perimeter.

This was Turkey at their best: physical defense, fluid ball movement and role players rising in big moments. With Sengun’s gravity creating lanes, Osmani spacing the floor, and Cedi setting the two-way tone, they look every bit the contender Ataman promised they would be. Now, after 24 years, Turkey is back in the EuroBasket final, still unbeaten, with a chance at their first-ever gold.

 

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!

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!

EuroBasket quarterfinals are where the noise starts to separate from the signal. Teams that rode hot shooting streaks or one-off matchups tend to fall away; the ones with identity, depth and a star who bends the game hold firm. On Tuesday night, Turkey and Greece checked all of those boxes. Both walked out not just with wins, but with performances that felt like punctuation marks in their national team stories.

For Turkey, Alperen Sengun’s historic triple-double wrapped in bruising physicality, relentless activity and contributions from every corner of the rotation. For Greece, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo doing what Giannis does: bending a game until it breaks and this time with enough help around him to break a decade-and-a-half-long semifinal drought. The results: Turkey over Poland, Greece over Lithuania, set up a semifinal clash dripping with subplots, from Sengun’s orchestration to Giannis’s inevitability, with both nations just one win away from a medal.

Turkey 91, Poland 77

Turkey booked just their second-ever EuroBasket semifinal appearance with a convincing win over Poland, built on Alperen Sengun’s historic triple-double and a collective effort that kept the game under control after halftime.

Turkey made a small adjustment to start, slotting Hazer into the lineup to match with Jordan Loyd, while Poland opened by running their “Spanoulis action” to free Mateusz Ponitka. Early on, Turkey’s plan was clear: hard hedge Ponitka and Loyd in ball screens, swarm the paint, and let Sengun orchestrate. The big man drew so much attention that he racked up three quick assists, while Poland leaned on Dziewa’s 11 first-half points to keep pace. The opening frame ended level at 19–19, but Turkey quickly tightened the screws. Their physicality frustrated Loyd, Poland began settling for tough looks, and turnovers mounted. Behind a 27–13 second quarter and Sengun’s all-around dominance (10/6/6 by halftime), Turkey surged to a 46–32 lead at the break.

The third quarter brought more of the same. Sengun, used repeatedly in short-roll situations, carved up Poland’s defense with passes that generated open corner threes, and the lead ballooned to 21 midway through the frame. Poland briefly clawed back with an 8–0 run when Sengun sat, but they simply couldn’t find enough consistent offense outside Ponitka and Loyd. By the end of the quarter, Turkey still held a comfortable 65–50 cushion.

Poland tried pressing and later top-locking Larkin to disrupt rhythm and a late push cut the margin to 10 with just over five minutes left. But Larkin responded with timely buckets and back-to-back threes inside the final minutes iced the game. Ponitka and Loyd both finished with 19, but their efforts weren’t enough to close the gap.

Turkey’s control was rooted in the little things: a 25–5 advantage in points off turnovers, a 13–6 edge on the offensive glass and 36–26 in the paint. Sengun finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, the youngest player ever to record a EuroBasket triple-double, while six other Turkish players also scored in double figures, a testament to their balance.

For Poland, it was another quarterfinal run but not quite the magical finish of 2022. For Turkey, it was history: their seventh straight win and a semifinal ticket that puts them one win away from a medal.

Greece 87, Lithuania 76

Greece booked their first EuroBasket Semi-Final appearance since 2009 behind a commanding two-way effort from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

From the opening tip, Lithuania looked to establish Jonas Valanciunas inside, while Greece leaned on Giannis to set the tone. Valanciunas had 11 early points, but Giannis matched him with 11 of his own in the first quarter as the physical battle in the paint defined the game’s rhythm.

In the second quarter, Greece’s shooting helped create separation. A trio of threes keyed an 11-2 run as they built a double-digit cushion, stretching the lead to 37-27 with under five minutes before halftime. Lithuania responded briefly through Valanciunas, who carried them with 15 points and 5 rebounds by the break, but Greece controlled the tempo. Turnovers and transition defense hurt Lithuania badly, they allowed 13 fast break points in the first half alone while managing just 2 themselves.

The third quarter saw foul trouble for Dinos Mitoglou, but Greece found a lift from Kostas Antetokounmpo, who provided rim protection and energy off the bench. Giannis continued to impose his will, pushing Greece ahead 64-52 after 30 minutes. While Valanciunas kept Lithuania afloat (20 points, 9 rebounds through three quarters), their lack of perimeter shooting (just 4/13 from deep during the first 30 minutes) made it hard to close the gap against Greece’s more balanced attack.

Lithuania made a late push, trimming the deficit to eight with just over a minute to play, but Greece calmly broke the press and sealed the game. In the end, Greece’s defensive activity and transition game proved decisive, they forced 9 steals, scored 20 fast break points and consistently capitalized on Lithuanian mistakes.

Giannis finished with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and a block in another dominant performance. Valanciunas was outstanding in defeat with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Vasileios Toliopoulos provided crucial spacing for Greece with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting (3-of-4 from three), while Kostas Antetokounmpo added 4 blocks in an energetic cameo.

With the win, Greece snapped a 16-year drought and advanced to face Türkiye in the Semi-Finals, moving within two games of their first EuroBasket crown since 2005.

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!

Quarterfinals are set and if there’s a through-line from a wild round of 16, it’s survival of the toughest. Poland, Georgia, Slovenia and Greece all punched their tickets on Sunday, but none of them did it cleanly and that’s exactly what makes knockout basketball so compelling. From Luka Dončić putting up another entry for the EuroBasket record books, to Georgia’s fairytale march past France, to Giannis bulldozing his way through Israel, every game came with its own cocktail of drama, grit and momentum swings.

Poland’s grind-it-out win over Bosnia & Herzegovina set the tone early, ugly stretches, momentum bursts and a captain in Mateusz Ponitka who did all the dirty work. Georgia stunned France with poise beyond their years, Slovenia nearly collapsed after a Luka masterclass opening and Greece needed every ounce of Giannis dominance to cover for shaky shooting. The margins were thin, the adjustments mattered and one key injury or hot hand swung entire games. In the end, four very different paths all led to the same place: the quarterfinals.

 

Poland 80, Bosnia & Herzegovina 72

Poland punched their ticket to the quarterfinals with a gritty 80-72 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina, a game that tested their patience, discipline and resilience.

Bosnia struck first with a 13-2 burst, powered by Jusuf Nurkić’s presence inside and John Roberson’s shot-making. They shared the ball beautifully in the first quarter, piling up seven assists while Poland looked flat and disorganized. Mateusz Ponitka tried to spark life with a couple of steals, but Poland trailed 23-14 after 10 minutes.

Adjustments slowly shifted the tide. Poland tightened their pick-and-roll defense by pushing handlers to the weak hand, while on offense they found flow with veer actions, turning ball screens into quick pin-downs. Still, the scoring load rested heavily on Jordan Loyd and Ponitka, who combined for 28 of Poland’s 40 points in the first half. Bosnia, meanwhile, leaned on Roberson’s creation whenever Nurkić sat, his floaters and threes keeping them up 44-40 at the break.

The third quarter turned into a battle of runs. Nurkić went repeatedly to work on the left block, but Poland’s faster tempo and sharper rotations helped them claw back. Ponitka’s relentless rim pressure fueled Poland’s surge, scoring 7 of 9 points in a key run that gave them their first real momentum. By the end of the period, they had flipped the game, 62-61.

Bosnia briefly regained the lead with offensive rebounds early in the fourth, but everything changed when Roberson left with a hamstring injury. Without their guard creator, Bosnia’s offense stagnated, and even Nurkić couldn’t carry them alone. Poland doubled down on smart defensive gambles, closing short against Bosnia’s weaker shooters and daring them to hesitate. The hesitation came, and with it, turnovers.

In crunch time, Ponitka and Loyd put the game away. The captain a true “Polish Army Knife,” finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and endless hustle. Loyd shouldered the scoring load, hitting tough shots late, including the midrange dagger that iced it with under a minute to go. His 28 points gave Poland the steady scoring hand they had lacked earlier.

Bosnia will rue missed chances, just 55% at the free throw line (11/20) and no double-digit scorers beyond Nurkić (20) and Roberson (19). Poland, on the other hand, showed the grit that has made them dangerous in knockout play, owning the glass with 17 offensive rebounds and turning extra possessions into 16 second-chance points.

It wasn’t perfect, but Poland found a way through, leaning on their stars, rebounding and defensive adjustments to outlast a dangerous Bosnia side.

 

Georgia 80, France 70

Georgia’s magical EuroBasket run added another chapter in Riga as they stunned France to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in history. It wasn’t about overwhelming firepower, but about poise, patience and making the right plays when the game hung in the balance.

From the opening minutes, Georgia set the tone defensively by packing the paint and forcing France into difficult halfcourt possessions. The French length and athleticism were neutralized by Georgia’s ball movement and discipline, as they consistently worked for clean looks. Yabusele had an early burst with 10 points in the first quarter, but his scoring dried up, and France struggled to find rhythm outside of transition and offensive rebounds. Georgia’s 5-of-10 three-point shooting in the first half proved critical in offsetting France’s 11–2 transition edge, and they carried a 38–37 lead into halftime with Goga Bitadze still scoreless.

The second half became a grind. Georgia deliberately looked to get Bitadze going, but neither side found easy baskets. With under four minutes left, Elie Okobo’s drive on Bitadze tied the game at 68, setting up a tense finish. Out of a timeout, Georgia executed perfectly, springing Tornike Shengelia for a clutch three that gave them back the lead. Moments later, Bitadze erased a French attempt at the rim with a massive block and Kamar Baldwin followed by drawing a foul on a three-point attempt. His free throws pushed the margin to six with just over a minute left. Bitadze then punctuated the night with a thunderous dunk to seal an unforgettable 80–70 victory.

The stat line told the story of Georgia’s composure: they controlled the tempo, led for nearly 32 minutes and knocked down 55.6% of their threes (10-of-18). France, by contrast, misfired all night from deep at just 16.7% (6-of-36). Baldwin and Shengelia carried the offensive load with 24 points each, while Georgia’s collective execution ensured they stayed steady even when France rallied late.

For France, transition bursts and second-chance points kept them in it, but without consistency in the halfcourt and no answers for Georgia’s shotmaking under pressure, their tournament came to a sudden end.

Georgia, already giant-killers after beating Spain on opening day, now add France to their list. In only their sixth EuroBasket appearance, they’ve reached the last eight and they did it with toughness, unity and a fearless approach. The chants of “Sakartvelo!” from the stands told the rest of the story: this team believes and the dream lives on against Finland in the quarterfinals.

Slovenia 84, Italy 77

Slovenia are through to the quarterfinals, but it was far from routine. What looked like an early rout turned into a grind, before Luka Dončić once again put the team on his back.

Slovenia came out flying after Italy’s first two possessions ended in turnovers. Dončić scored 22 in the opening quarter, ripping apart switches and forcing Italy into sloppy play (six turnovers in the frame). With their switching scheme leaving him favorable matchups almost every trip, it was simply the Luka show. Slovenia led 29-11 after ten minutes.

Pozzecco’s side finally showed their bite in the second quarter, ratcheting up full-court pressure and “weaking” most pick-and-rolls while hard-hedging Dončić. Fontecchio fueled the response with 11 points in the quarter in a variety of roles, from spot-ups to on-ball creation. Italy cut it to 10 at the break, 50-40.

Slovenia regained control in the third. They worked Dončić into the post off cross-screens and when he sat, Prepelic delivered two big threes. Alen Omić’s energy was massive, grabbing three straight offensive rebounds that turned into five points in a key stretch. By the end of the third, the lead was back to 16 (72-56).

Italy wouldn’t go away. Niang and Gallinari spearheaded a furious rally to open the fourth, getting downhill, drawing fouls, and living at the line. They combined for 13 of Italy’s 16 points in just over five minutes, cutting the gap to one. Slovenia, meanwhile, sputtered, turnovers, rushed shots and a 3-of-12 mark from the field in the quarter.

In the final minutes, Slovenia went small with Muric at the five after Krampelj fouled out, trying to survive on switching defense. Niang fouled out with 1:40 left, and despite Gallo pushing until the end, Dončić iced it at the free-throw line.

Dončić finished with 42 points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals, five points shy of his EuroBasket record from 2022, cementing one of the all-time knockout game performances. Prepelic added 11, Omić chipped in with hustle plays and Slovenia owned the glass with 15 offensive boards. Italy’s Fontecchio led them with 22, while Niang and Gallinari both hit double figures in the rally.

Slovenia bent, but with Luka in this form, they did not break.

Greece 84, Israel 79

Greece booked their spot in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought win over Israel, leaning heavily on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominance inside to overcome shaky perimeter shooting.

Israel opened with Itay Segev in the lineup to match Giannis physically, but it made little difference. From the start Greece sent wave after wave of rim pressure, while defensively they collapsed hard on Deni Avdija, daring Israel’s supporting cast to hit shots. Kostas Papanikolaou set the tone early with physical defense on Avdija, and Giannis powered his way to 21 first-half points. By contrast, Israel’s only consistent bright spot in the opening quarter was Tomer Ginat, who found success attacking Mitoglou. Still, Greece’s transition game was rolling (11 fast-break points in the first) and they led 28-22 after 10 minutes.

Carrington’s offense from the bench and a short stint in a 2-3 matchup zone helped Israel stay connected in the second, but their late double-teams on Giannis came far too late. He kept bullying his way to deep seals and easy finishes. Greece shot just 44% from the free-throw line in the half, which kept the margin at 50-41.

The third quarter turned scrappy, with both teams piling up turnovers (10 combined). Israel briefly cut the gap to two (60-58), but a quick burst from the Greek bench, Sloukas, Samodurov and Kostas Antetokounmpo, restored an 8-point cushion heading into the final period.

Greece then started the fourth with three offensive rebounds in two minutes, keeping Israel at arm’s length. Israel’s traps and late-game pressure forced some miscues, but they never fully committed to fouling despite Greece’s struggles at the line. That hesitation proved costly: an offensive rebound and putback in the final minute sealed it, pushing the lead back to eight.

Giannis finished with 37 points on 18-of-23 shooting and 10 rebounds, utterly unstoppable around the rim. Greece shot just 16% from deep and 50% at the line, but their 45–30 rebounding edge (18 offensive boards) and 58 points in the paint outweighed those issues. Giannis’s counterpart for Israel was Avdija, who fought to 22 points, with Ginat and Sorkin chipping in 15 apiece.

Israel had their chances but never found an answer for Giannis, who carried Greece into a quarterfinal clash with Lithuania.

 

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!

Turkey 85, Sweden 79

Sweden came into this Round of 16 clash with clarity and confidence, executing their offense with discipline in the first half. They attacked the rim, shared the ball and found good looks, while also limiting Alperen Sengun’s playmaking opportunities by crowding the paint. Cedi Osman carried Turkey early with 11 points in under 9 minutes, but foul trouble kept him on the bench. Sweden’s deliberate approach, led by Simon Birgander’s interior presence and Pelle Larsson’s steady guard play, earned them a 42–37 halftime lead.

Turkey came out of the locker room with urgency, but their offense was initially rushed and stagnant. The shift came when they cranked up the defensive pressure, forcing Sweden into turnovers and disrupting their rhythm. A key tactical adjustment, using Ercan Osmani as a passer to feed the post, helped free Sengun from Sweden’s traps. That opened the door for a 14-0 surge that flipped the game, capped by an Osmani corner three that put Turkey in front. By the end of the third, Sengun had fully grown into the role of offensive hub, controlling the glass and creating second-chance opportunities.

The fourth quarter was a battle. Sweden’s cutting and ball movement kept producing easy looks, Hakanson and Larsson hit timely shots to tie the game multiple times. Birgander, even while managing foul trouble, was immense with blocks, rebounds and effort plays. But Sengun answered every challenge, tipping in misses, drawing attention in the post and even delivering a late block that turned into a transition score. With Shane Larkin steady in the closing possessions adding key free throws, Turkey finally held off Sweden’s push.

Sengun was the difference, finishing with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists in 35 minutes, showing both endurance and poise. Turkey’s rebounding edge (45–33, including 18 offensive boards) and 16 second-chance points were decisive against a Swedish team that shared the ball beautifully (22 assists) but couldn’t overcome foul trouble and lapses under pressure.

Sweden left the tournament with their style on full display, five players in double figures, constant movement and a fearless approach, but it was Turkey’s interior strength and Sengun’s takeover that pushed them back into the EuroBasket Quarter-Finals for the first time since 2009.

Germany 85, Portugal 58

Portugal came out fearless, opening on a 7–2 run as Neemias Queta stepped out to drain a three and the team pushed the pace in transition. Germany’s plan was clear: stretch the floor with Daniel Theis to pull Queta out of the paint. But with both teams starting ice cold from deep (1-for-10 apiece), the game quickly became a grind.

Portugal looked the sharper side early, stringing together a 12–4 run through stagger actions and disciplined defense, while Germany’s wings were too much of a mismatch for the smaller Portuguese perimeter. Queta anchored things inside and by halftime Germany was stuck at just 31 points, shooting 1-for-17 from three. Portugal’s second unit carried their weight as well, outscoring Germany’s bench 17–5 by the end of the third quarter.

Germany tried to crank up the pressure with high hedges in pick-and-roll coverage, but Portugal’s guards consistently found Queta on the roll or via lob. It wasn’t until the fourth that the tide turned. Maodo Lo finally broke Germany’s drought with back-to-back threes, sparking a run Portugal couldn’t answer. Fatigue and lack of shot creation showed for the underdogs, as they shot just 3-for-17 in the final quarter and committed a rash of turnovers.

Germany, still cold from deep overall (10-for-36), leaned on their size, defense and late shot-making. Lo’s threes opened the floodgates, Franz Wagner brought steady all-around impact, as the bench finally came alive with 25 points late in the second half after being invisible for three quarters.

Queta’s 18 points and 11 rebounds highlighted Portugal’s fight and their defensive switching ability kept them in the game until late. But Germany’s depth, physicality and ability to finally string together outside shots proved decisive, as the reigning world champions turned a scare into a comfortable win to reach their third straight EuroBasket Quarterfinal.

Lithuania 88, Latvia 79

The Baltic derby delivered the intensity everyone expected, but Lithuania were sharper from the opening tip and never trailed on their way to the Quarter-Finals. Both teams came out firing, Lithuania hit their first three threes, Latvia knocked down two of their first three, but Lithuania’s defensive scheme on Kristaps Porziņģis set the tone. By switching everything onto him, they disrupted his rhythm early and with Jonas Valančiūnas starting the game on the bench, Lithuania kept their coverages mobile. When rotations broke down, Porziņģis did find looks, but overall Latvia were pushed into late-clock situations and poor two-point shooting (2-for-8 in the first quarter).

On the other end, Lithuania leaned on Arnas Velička to fill Rokas Jokubaitis’ role, and he delivered with rim pressure, playmaking, and composure. Deividas Sirvydis brought energy defensively and timely shooting, helping Lithuania hold their edge while Latvia opened the second quarter with a 6-0 burst. Still, Latvia’s offense never flowed the way it usually does, their trademark off-ball movement was absent, largely due to Lithuania’s physical defense.

Valančiūnas was used in short, targeted stretches, bringing power inside when Lithuania needed it. By the end of the third, he had only nine minutes but provided a momentum play with an and-one at the shot clock buzzer that pushed the gap back into double digits. Latvia, meanwhile, leaned heavily on Porziņģis, who carried their scoring load but often stood alone in terms of energy and efficiency.

The fourth quarter brought heavy pressure. Lithuania went 0-for-5 from deep, while Latvia cranked up a full-court 2-2-1 zone press before switching to intense half-court man-to-man defense to force mistakes. The hosts clawed back within seven with three minutes left, but lapses, including a turnover immediately after a drawn-up sideline play, undercut their push. Lithuania’s discipline inside proved decisive, with 40 points in the paint compared to Latvia’s 28, while Velička and Ažuolas Tubelis made big late buckets to close it out.

Porziņģis’ 34 points and 19 rebounds gave hope to Latvia, but Lithuania’s balance and defensive edge carried them through. Velička’s 21 points, 12 assists and 5 rebounds made him the game’s quiet star, seamlessly stepping into Jokubaitis’ shoes and guiding Lithuania back to the EuroBasket Quarter-Finals for the first time since 2015.

 

Finland 92, Serbia 86

Finland delivered the shock of the Round of 16 by outlasting Serbia, and they did it their way, fast, fearless and firing from deep. The Susijengi opened with six threes in the first quarter, using the mobility of Lauri Markkanen and Mikael Jantunen to pull Serbia’s frontcourt into space. Serbia switched nearly everything, but those switches only created mismatches Finland was happy to hunt.

The second quarter swung the other way. Finland’s defense slipped, their shot selection leaned too heavily on threes, and they went scoreless for stretches. Serbia’s size with Nikola Milutinov and Nikola Jokić began to tell, racking up paint points. Finland struggled most in the minutes without Little, when their lack of a true playmaking guard showed. A Jokić technical briefly gave Finland a spark, and with turnovers feeding their transition game, Markkanen began to take over, already up to 14 points by halftime despite Serbia’s edge inside.

Serbia’s adjustments out of the break put the ball more often in Nikola Jović’s hands, and he made them pay with perimeter shot-making. But when Jokić picked up his third foul early, Finland smelled opportunity. They pressed, ran, and threw bodies at Jokić to force him away from his comfort zones. Sasu Salin found his rhythm from three and the Finns leaned into a simple formula: defend hard, shoot threes, foul Jokić if necessary. Jokić spent plenty of time at the free-throw line, though he missed several, keeping alive the idea of fouling him if necessary.

The fourth quarter brought both drama and resilience. Markkanen took a knock to his knee and wasn’t at full capacity, forcing others to step forward. Miro Muuriinen sparked Finland with energy, and Elias Valtonen, who Serbia had stashed Jokić on defensively, turned that matchup into gold. Exploiting Jokić’s slow closeouts, Valtonen came up huge in crunch time, attacking off the dribble and knocking down two big threes along with a pair of layups.

While Serbia relied almost exclusively on Jokić (33 points) and Jović (20), their late-game execution faltered. Instead of riding Jokić inside, possessions drifted to secondary creators. Marko Gudurić couldn’t deliver and without Bogdan Bogdanović, Serbia lacked a perimeter closer.

Finland, meanwhile, leaned on their depth and hustle, 20 offensive rebounds, transition pressure, and just enough timely shot-making. Markkanen’s 29 points set the tone, but it was Valtonen’s clutch buckets and Finland’s collective commitment to make Jokić work alone that sealed one of EuroBasket’s biggest upsets in years.

 

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!

The group stage is officially in the books, and it went out with a bang. On the final day of Groups C and D, we saw Luka Dončić do Luka Dončić things, jaw-dropping stepbacks, no-look passes, the works, but the bigger story might be what unfolded around him. Greece quietly handled business against the defending champs, signaling they’re more than just a supporting cast in this tournament. Meanwhile, Bosnia & Herzegovina reminded us what unselfish, flowing team basketball looks like, and France? Well, France reminded everyone why they’re still the team to beat, imposing their will on both ends of the floor. In short, it was a day of clarity: individual brilliance, tactical mastery and a few statement games that might reshape the knockout picture.

 

Bosnia & Herzegovina 84, Georgia 76

Bosnia & Herzegovina came out sharp, drilling three of their first four from deep accounting for 9 out of their first 10 points in the game, leaning on Nurkić as a pick-and-pop hub. That early efficiency built a 20–15 lead after the first quarter. Georgia, meanwhile, ran nearly everything through Toko Shengelia, but outside of the occasional Spain pick-and-roll they struggled to find balance, while lapses in focus, like a wasted transition three late in the quarter and an unnecessary take foul, undercut their start.

Bosnia’s offensive rhythm carried into the second. A slick ATO sequence (DHO into Spain action) produced a layup and sparked a 9–2 run, stretching the lead to double digits. Georgia’s over-helping and slow rotations were repeatedly punished, as Bosnia’s ball movement piled up 14 first-half assists and shooting numbers of 52% from the field and 44% from three. Mamukelashvili had only four attempts in the half, while Shengelia forced tough looks. At the break, Bosnia & Herzegovina led 47–35.

Georgia responded with urgency out of halftime, tightening the defense to generate four steals and six turnovers in the third quarter. That energy fueled their best stretch, cutting the deficit all the way down to two (67–65) heading into the fourth, largely by attacking switches and posting up Shengelia against guards.

The fourth quarter, though, belonged to Bosnia & Herzegovina. Baldwin briefly pushed Georgia ahead with a quick burst, but Nurkić reasserted himself inside with scoring and rebounding, while Roberson and Lazić buried timely threes to flip the momentum back. Georgia’s offense again bogged down into static isolations and poor spacing, and a Roberson jumper out of a baseline set effectively sealed the win.

Bosnia’s balance was decisive: 26 assists, 21 bench points to Georgia’s four, and a 14-7 edge in made threes. Nurkić posted 15 and 12, Roberson added 15 with four triples, and the supporting cast all chipped in. Georgia’s trio of Mamukelashvili (20), Baldwin (18), and Bitadze (16) combined for 53, but Shengelia never found rhythm (2/11 FG). Bosnia’s win not only showcased execution and depth, it secured their first trip to the EuroBasket knockout stage since 1993.

 

France 114, Iceland 74

France came out with complete authority, blitzing Iceland 36–9 in the first quarter and never letting the game drift from their control. Their pressure defense forced turnovers, they ran off every miss and by the time the first frame closed it already felt decided.

Iceland did manage to find some offense in the second quarter, but France kept scoring with ease, stretching the margin to 66–34 by halftime. The pattern held after the break, France’s size and athleticism allowed them to dominate the paint, punish Iceland on the glass, and generate easy buckets from live-ball turnovers.

By the end of the third, the gap had only grown wider. The only moment Iceland had to savor came in the final period, when they outscored France 28–24, giving their fans in Katowice something to cheer in an otherwise one-sided affair.

France’s control was total. They owned the interior, overwhelmed Iceland with waves of bench production, and turned defense into offense all night long. Eight different players hit double figures, with Zaccharie Risacher standing out in limited minutes.

For France, it was less about the scoreline than about sharpening their identity, relentless defense, unselfish offense and depth that few teams can match. For Iceland, it was the end of a winless campaign, but not without pride, their effort and tempo won the admiration of the crowd, even against an opponent operating at full throttle.

 

Slovenia 106, Israel 96

Israel opened by putting Zoosman on Dončić, denying catches and doubling him in pick-and-rolls, while Avdija drove their offense with repeated attacks on the paint (11 of Israel’s 22 first-quarter points). Slovenia answered by running every chance they got, piling up nine fast-break points in the opening frame. They adjusted smartly when Luka was doubled, moving the ball and even using him as a screener to roll into post-ups. Offensive rebounding (5 OReb, 8 second-chance points) gave Slovenia an edge and they led 26–22 after one.

In the second, Israel tried to disrupt rhythm with a Box-and-1 on Luka, but Slovenia’s response was sharp. Dončić knocked down his first three after four misses and Slovenia strung together a 6–1 run out of timeout. Their defense tightened, forcing misses and holding Israel scoreless for long stretches. Luka was already up to 24/6/6 at the half, with Slovenia hitting 12/15 inside the arc and their bench chipping in 14 points. Israel’s 13 offensive rebounds were their lifeline, led by Avdija’s 19 first-half points, but they trailed 56–43.

Israel threw a curveball to start the third, giving Palatin more minutes than he had been getting in the tournament and tasking him with hounding Luka, while also knocking down two threes. They also flattened their pick-and-roll coverage, keeping the big at the level. Luka’s foul trouble (two quick ones, reaching four with 5:38 left) changed the quarter, but Slovenia leaned on Nikolić, who scored eight and stabilized them. Even with Luka on the bench late, Slovenia won those minutes 8–4 and entered the fourth up 79–65.

The game tightened in the fourth when Slovenia missed their first three triples and Israel ripped off a 13–4 run cutting the margin to five with Luka still out. As soon as he checked back in, he orchestrated everything: scoring, assisting and controlling tempo. Israel tried to pressure full-court and trap in the half-court, even targeting Luka to draw a fifth foul, but he held firm and baited Avdija into tough shots. A quick 5–0 burst after a timeout restored control, and Luka’s dagger in the final minutes closed it out.

Slovenia finished with 28 assists and five players in double figures, but the story was Luka: 37 points, 11 boards, 9 assists, one dime shy of making EuroBasket history with a second triple-double. Israel’s fight was anchored by Avdija’s 34 and 9, plus a relentless 21 offensive rebounds, but their inefficiency around the rim and at the line kept them from pulling the upset. Slovenia’s third straight win secured third place in Group D, while Israel settled for fourth.

 

Italy 89, Cyprus 54

Italy closed out the group stage in complete control, never allowing the hosts a real chance to make it a contest. After Cyprus scored the game’s opening basket, Italy immediately ripped off a 19–2 run and set the tone with a 24–6 first quarter. From there, the Azzurri managed the game, never loosening their grip.

The second quarter was the only stretch where Cyprus could stabilize, holding Italy to 16 points, but it was more about Italy easing up than any real momentum shift. Once the teams came out of halftime, Italy reasserted themselves, using their ball movement and depth to push the lead further, before finishing with another decisive fourth quarter.

Italy’s performance wasn’t built on hot shooting, they hit just 29% from three, but on balance, execution, and effort. They owned the glass (48–30), punished Cyprus with second-chance points, and shared the ball selflessly (26 assists to just 6 turnovers). Cyprus, by contrast, struggled to create much offensively, finishing with only 11 assists all game.

It was another display of Italy’s collective identity. Even without lights-out shooting, their defense, rebounding, and playmaking carried them to a fourth straight win. For Cyprus, it was the end of a historic first EuroBasket appearance, one where the results didn’t go their way but the energy and commitment left a positive mark on their home crowd.

Italy now head to Riga with confidence, looking like a team that has found its rhythm at the right time.

 

Greece 90, Spain 86

From the start, Greece turned Spain’s defensive plan on its head. Spain collapsed two and even three defenders onto Giannis in the paint, but that left the perimeter wide open. Greece punished it immediately, 8-for-10 from deep in the first quarter, with Tyler Dorsey hitting four threes on his way to 14 points. Spain, meanwhile, barely looked at the arc (only three attempts in the quarter) and couldn’t generate stops, trailing 30–18 after one.

The second quarter was a story of runs. López-Arostegui provided an important spark off the bench, helping Spain trim the deficit. But when Greece’s starters returned, the barrage resumed. Giannis shifted into playmaker mode, picking apart traps with six first-half assists, and Greece closed the half shooting 10-for-15 from deep to lead 50–36. Spain’s missed free throws (7-for-14 in the half) added to their frustration.

Spain regrouped after halftime with urgency, tightening up defensively and winning the third quarter 28–18. By midway through the fourth, the comeback was complete, tying it at 71, then briefly taking leads at 73–72 and 82–81. But each time Greece steadied. Giannis delivered in crunch time, scoring key baskets and controlling the glass, while Dorsey added timely shooting. Spain’s free throw woes haunted them in the final minute, Juancho Hernangómez missed three at the line with his team down four, sealing their fate.

Greece finished at 48% from deep and 53% overall, with Giannis on the edge of a triple-double (25 points, 14 boards, 9 assists) and Dorsey supplying 22 on 6-of-9 from three. Spain stayed alive with elite ball security (only 7 turnovers) but couldn’t overcome their 21-for-37 night at the stripe.

The result knocked out the reigning champions and sent Greece through as Group C winners. It was a performance built on a blistering start, unselfish ball movement and their stars rising when it mattered most.

 

Belgium 70, Poland 69

Belgium closed their EuroBasket campaign on a high, beathing the hosts Poland in a nail-biter decided by Emmanuel Lecomte’s poise in the final seconds.

Poland had the better start, taking the first quarter 17–16, but Belgium responded in the second. Their defense tightened up, their ball movement created rhythm and a 23–16 period gave them a 39–33 lead at the break.

The hosts found their footing after halftime, using a 25–19 third quarter to erase the gap and tie the game at 58 heading into the final frame. From there, it turned into a grind: neither side able to get separation, both trading stops and missed chances.

With just seconds left, it was Lecomte who made the difference. His mid-range game had been on all night, and with 3 seconds to play he calmly rose up and hit the decisive jumper to seal it. He finished with 19 points, giving Belgium the offensive punch they needed.

The Lions’ defense and Poland’s cold perimeter shooting proved just as crucial. Belgium held their opponents to 38% from the field and just 4-of-25 from deep. Jordan Loyd never found his rhythm, finishing with only 7 points, while Mateusz Ponitka once again carried the load (16 points, 9 boards, 5 assists). Poland’s advantage inside (36–14 points in the paint) wasn’t enough to overcome the shooting disparity, as Belgium hit 11 threes at over 40%.

For Belgium, it was a night to show pride and spirit even with elimination already confirmed. For Poland, it was a stumble that didn’t change their path, they still advance to the Round of 16 as the No. 2 seed from Group D, but with some lingering questions after this flat performance.

 

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!

Day 8 of EuroBasket served up a full platter of high-stakes basketball, where momentum swung like a pendulum and no lead felt safe. From tightly contested finishes to breakout performances, teams leaned on star power and collective grit in equal measure. Great Britain stunned Montenegro with relentless pressure and transition scoring, Portugal showed unyielding depth after losing their anchor and Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, and Turkey each flexed a mix of tactical discipline and individual brilliance to close out group play with statement victories. Across the board, turnovers, transition points and clutch execution proved decisive, reminding everyone why every possession matters when the stakes are this high.

Great Britain 89, Montenegro 83

Montenegro opened with different looks to get Nikola Vucevic involved, diamond sets, elbow brush screens into post touches, but GB were ready with hard doubles as soon as he put the ball on the floor. From the start, GB’s identity was clear: relentless ball pressure, forcing switches, and attacking mismatches. They crashed the offensive glass relentlessly and picked up their defensive intensity even more after dead balls. Late in the first, they even dropped into a 1-2-2 press, forcing back-to-back turnovers.

Montenegro shot the ball brilliantly early (77% FG in the first quarter) but couldn’t withstand the pressure, eight turnovers in that span alone, which GB punished with eight fast-break points. End of one, Montenegro led narrowly 26–25.

GB’s start to the second quarter showed their control, holding Montenegro to just one FGA over nearly two minutes. Montenegro tried to adjust by using more pick-and-pop with Vucevic facing the basket to reduce the doubles, but when he sat, their offense collapsed, just three points in almost four minutes. Without ball movement, they relied almost entirely on his gravity. Meanwhile, GB’s execution stood out, sharp ATOs, baseline out-of-bounds plays, and targeted coverage like forcing Allman left in pick-and-roll. By halftime, GB were up 48–42 with a 28–20 edge in points in the paint and a huge turnover advantage.

The third quarter followed the same pattern: Montenegro bleeding possessions (15 turnovers by the 4-minute mark), GB running the floor, and Vucevic the only real source of resistance (10 points in the quarter). On the perimeter, Montenegro repeatedly failed to track GB’s shooters, Akwasi Yeboah came off staggers untouched, while Jelani Watson-Gayle was given clean looks as defenders ducked under (he hit 3-of-4 from deep).

By the fourth, Montenegro had little beyond Vucevic. Allman offered just five second-half points without creation or rim pressure. GB kept finding ways, Myles Hesson (25 points) punished them out of a flare action miscommunication for an open dunk, then later hit a three off a Spanish pick-and-roll where Montenegro again broke down. Even when Montenegro briefly flipped the lead with back-to-back threes under two minutes left, GB responded, and ultimately Montenegro’s defense gave way.

The numbers told the story: 18 turnovers conceded, Simonovic misfiring at 14% from the field when they badly needed a third scorer, and too many second chances gifted to GB’s big, physical front line. On the other side, Hesson and Yeboah combined for 48 points, GB outscored them 20–3 in transition, and they simply had more bodies to throw at Vucevic.

Vucevic, who posted 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in his farewell tournament, did everything he could, but it wasn’t enough. Montenegro’s defensive breakdowns and lack of support left them undone, while GB celebrated their first EuroBasket win since 2013, falling short of advancing but closing their campaign on a proud note.

 

Portugal 68, Estonia 65

Early in the game, Portugal looked like a team trapped by its own limitations. With no real playmaking threats, they struggled badly against Estonia’s aggressive defense. Every look was hard-earned, every possession a grind, and the ball often stuck in place with little movement off it. Defensively, Portugal were also too passive early, just five fouls in the first half, allowing Estonia to run their offense with patience and composure, finding cleaner shots than Portugal could generate.

The second half flipped the script. Neemias Queta and Miguel Queiroz began to impose themselves, sparking a Portuguese surge, only for disaster to hit when Queta picked up two technicals and was ejected. At that point, it looked like the fight would drain out of them. Estonia capitalized, reclaiming the lead with a run built on Artur Konontsuk’s shot-making.

Instead, Portugal responded with the kind of resilience that defined their group stage. One by one, different names stepped into the void: Daniel Relvão’s interior presence, Diogo Gameiro’s poise, Travante Williams’ intensity and then Rafael Lisboa seizing the moment. Lisboa, tied the game with a deep three in the final minute, then calmly knocked down four free throws to ice it.

What began as a one-superstar team turned into a collective. Queta’s absence for most of the second half forced Portugal to find other ways and they did. Their pressure generated turnovers (19–7 edge in points off giveaways) and late in the game, they finally turned that defense into confidence. Lisboa’s closing stretch will go down as one of the landmark moments in Portuguese basketball history, delivering the victory that sends them to the Round of 16 for the first time ever.

Estonia, for their part, kept it close until the final buzzer, but 17 turnovers and a lack of steady playmaking in crunch time undid them. Konontsuk’s burst nearly carried them through, but Kristian Kullamäe’s halfcourt heave at the horn rimmed out, leaving Estonia and their passionate fans heartbroken.

For Portugal, this was about more than one game. It was proof of growth, proof of depth and proof that they can win even when stripped of their NBA anchor. In those final 15 minutes, they looked like a team full of heroes, and they earned their place among Europe’s top sixteen.

 

Lithuania 74, Sweden 71

Lithuania pressed full court from the opening tip, but their offense sputtered badly out of the gate. Jonas Valančiūnas was used early as a dribble-handoff hub at the top, yet the ball stalled far too often and they struggled to create any advantages. They managed just 14 points in the first quarter with 8 turnovers, while Sweden moved the ball with pace and precision. Pelle Larsson in particular thrived when run off the line, attacking closeouts and making smart decisions. Sweden’s strong execution carried them to a 21–14 lead after ten minutes and they would extend it to 12 midway through the second.

Lithuania turned back to Valančiūnas to steady themselves, pounding the glass for extra possessions and looking more to him in the post. Still, the offense remained uneven, with no three-pointers in the half and little playmaking after Normantas left injured in the opening quarter. Sweden’s patient offense kept them in front, 39–33 at the break.

The second half opened with a different Lithuanian team, quicker ball movement, higher tempo, and their first made three sparked an 11–4 surge. With Valančiūnas anchoring inside, they briefly grabbed the lead, only for Sweden to claw back when JV rested, closing the third at 54–53.

Sweden opened the fourth with sharp guard–guard and wing–guard ghost screens that created mismatches and space. Lithuania countered by leaning even harder on their center, Valančiūnas reasserting himself on both ends. Interestingly, the coaching staff managed his minutes on a “handball-style” offense–defense rotation late, subbing him in only for halfcourt possessions. The game came down to free throws: Sargiūnas split at the line to leave the door open, but Sweden couldn’t capitalize, their sideline out-of-bounds play resulting in a heavily contested Larsson three that missed at the buzzer.

Lithuania’s interior dominance told the story: 42 points in the paint, 11 offensive rebounds leading to 12 second-chance points, and Valančiūnas finishing with 18 and 9. They still struggled from deep (11%), but four players reached double figures to balance the attack. Sweden, led by Larsson’s 18, executed well but were undone by poor free-throw shooting (8-for-15) and couldn’t quite convert their early control into a statement win.

For Lithuania, it was a gritty comeback that showed both their flaws and their resilience, far from their most polished performance, but enough to carry momentum into the Round of 16.

 

Latvia 109, Czechia 75

Latvia wasted no time setting the tone, they wanted to run. Davis Bertans had four quick points in transition, then knocked down a three as both teams traded long-range shots in a frantic opening. Latvia hit their first four triples in as many minutes (two apiece from the Bertans brothers), surging ahead 16–9. On the other end, they put Davis Bertans on Vit Krejčí to use size and take him out of rhythm. Czechia steadied things with sharp off-ball movement and 9-of-11 shooting inside the arc, cutting into the gap while Kristaps Porziņģis rested. Still, Zagars’ entry gave Latvia a jolt, sparking consecutive threes through pure ball movement to close the first up 30–24.

In the second quarter, Rolands Smits showcased his mobility, exploiting gaps against slower-footed centers. When Porziņģis returned, his gravity transformed the offense, whether as a scorer (including a near-logo three and strong drive) or passer (a perfectly timed backscreen cut assist from the post). Czechia kept scrapping on the glass, but Porziņģis anchoring both ends pushed Latvia ahead by double digits. At halftime it was 58–44, Latvia blending interior scoring and outside shooting in near-perfect balance.

By the third, that balance tilted into dominance. Latvia already had 30 points in the paint midway through the quarter, then ripped off a 10–2 run that ballooned the lead beyond 20. Davis Bertans was on fire again during this stretch, and with Latvia flying up and down the floor, Czechia simply couldn’t keep pace. By late in the period, it was 81–53, the home side piling up transition buckets and assisted threes.

The fourth was academic, Latvia’s ball movement overwhelmed Czechia, finishing with 31 assists on the night, 10 from Rihards Lomažs. They also contained Vit effectively (4-of-11 FG), while Czechia’s lone bright spot was Martin Peterka drilling threes off stagger screens (3-of-3). The visitors lacked creators and Latvia’s defensive intensity plus shot-making buried them.

Statistically, Latvia’s inside-out balance jumped off the page: 13-of-27 from three, 53% shooting overall, and 42 points in the paint. Five players reached double figures, led by Davis Bertans (20), Kristaps Porziņģis (16), Dairis Bertans (20) and Roland Smits (16). The 109-point tally tied Latvia’s all-time EuroBasket scoring record and with the game long out of reach, the bench finished things off in comfort.

A statement performance that reminded everyone how lethal Latvia’s mix of pace, spacing and movement can be when everything clicks.

 

Germany 91, Finland 61

From the opening tip Germany set the tone with intensity, jumping out 14–6 in the first four minutes by forcing turnovers and running in transition. Franz Wagner matched up with Lauri Markkanen, while Dennis Schröder and Andreas Obst chased Maxhuni to limit Finland’s primary initiator. Finland struggled early (3–12 FG), relying heavily on Lauri to push the pace downhill and draw fouls. A couple of threes brought them within two, but their second unit was the one that steadied them, turning German mistakes into seven points off turnovers in the first quarter. Still, Germany led narrowly after one despite six turnovers of their own.

In the second, Isaac Bonga and Franz Wagner smothered Markkanen, forcing him into tough looks and limiting his touches, while Schröder and Theis built rhythm in pick-and-roll. That connection sparked an 11-point German lead midway through, even as Theis sat with foul trouble. Finland experimented with Lauri at the three to close the gap, but their defensive pressure faded, and Germany closed the half on top 50–36, dominating the paint (18 points inside) and flipping the tempo of the game.

After halftime Bonga’s defense on Lauri again stood out, denying him post position, reading every pop-out, even picking off passes. Finland couldn’t generate alternative offense, starting 2–8 in the quarter, and though they briefly held Germany scoreless for three minutes, they never capitalized. Olivier Nkamhoua fought hardest for the hosts with activity on the glass, but Finland’s poor shot selection (5–25 from three by the end of the third) and mounting turnovers kept the gap growing. A long touchdown pass from Theis to Schröder after a made free throw summed up Finland’s lapses. By the end of the third, Germany led 69–49.

The fourth quarter was one-way traffic. With Markkanen on the bench and Finland already out of answers, Germany stretched the margin past 30. They took Maxhuni out of the game from the start, neutralized Lauri with disciplined coverage and punished every careless turnover (22 total). Even Finland’s 24 offensive rebounds never translated into second-chance scoring.

Franz Wagner’s 23 points in just 20 minutes, plus Schröder’s control in the pick-and-roll, underlined Germany’s balance. They won every quarter, defended at a high level, and closed group play with another emphatic win, showing how hard it is to crack their defense when they stay locked in

 

Turkey 95, Serbia 90

Serbia opened strong, carving up Turkey’s defense for easy looks at the rim and jumping out 9–3. Ergin Ataman burned an early timeout, and Turkey immediately responded, Sengun anchoring the offense and hot perimeter shooting (4/8 from deep) fueling a 19–11 turnaround. The first quarter closed with Serbia regrouping, but Turkey clung to a 19–18 edge behind Sengun’s 10 points.

The second quarter was a trading of punches. Turkey kept knocking down threes, 9/16 at the break, far outpacing Serbia’s 6/16, but Serbia controlled the paint, 24–14 inside scoring, leaning on Jokic’s craft to keep the scoreboard moving. By halftime, Serbia held a slim 49–46 lead despite the shooting gap. Jokic had a steady 8/6/2, Sengun nearly matching him with a 12/8/7 line, showcasing the duel that defined the night.

In the third, Shane Larkin kept performing at a high level and was an even harder matchup for Serbia with Avramovic sidelined after leaving the game late in the second quarter. His speed and playmaking broke Serbia’s rhythm, helping Turkey edge ahead 74–73 entering the fourth. Serbia countered by shuffling matchups, Dobric, then Nikola Jovic, to try to disrupt Larkin’s flow, but Turkey kept pace. Jokic’s blend of skill and size gave Serbia hope late, yet Sengun’s versatility, stepping out to the arc, rolling hard, and facilitating, proved decisive.

The final minute was all about composure. Down 90–89, Sengun calmly sank two free throws to swing the lead. On the next trip, he hedged a pick-and-roll perfectly, poking the ball free to set up Larkin, who added two more at the line. With Serbia needing a three, Jokic’s attempt rimmed out, and Sengun sealed it with another pair of free throws, capping a statement win for Turkey. Serbia allowed too many offensive rebounds down the stretch. The Milutinov–Jokic pairing proved ineffective at controlling the glass, protecting the rim, and especially handling Turkey’s mobility.

Sengun finished with a brilliant 28/13/8, outdueling Jokic (22/9/4) on the stat sheet and, more importantly, on the scoreboard. Turkey’s blistering 58% from deep and 27 assists highlighted their offensive sharpness, while Sengun’s clutch plays in the last minute delivered the signature victory of their group stage.

 

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!

Welcome to our daily recap of the EuroBasket tournament! The seventh day of the competition was packed with thrilling action, as teams battled for crucial wins and spots in the knockout stage. We saw incredible comebacks, dominant performances from some of the biggest stars and nail-biting finishes that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

From Luka Dončić and Slovenia surviving a scare against Iceland, to Italy pulling off a win over the defending champions Spain, the intensity was off the charts. Read on as we break down all the key matchups and what they mean for the tournament standings.

Israel 92, Belgium 89

Israel punched their ticket to the Round of 16 with a 92–89 win over Belgium, a game that showcased both their early dominance and their late-game struggles to close.

From the outset, Belgium set a physical tone, committing two off-ball fouls in the opening minute. Israel answered with structure: switching 2–4, going under on 1–5 actions, and feeding Roman Sorkin inside, who scored 10 points in just over five minutes. Their offense was sharp and unselfish, racking up eight assists in the first quarter, while an inverted pick-and-roll freed Deni Avdija to attack smaller guards. Still, Belgium’s aggression kept it close, leading 25–23 after one despite Israel’s 18–4 edge in points in the paint.

The second quarter tilted decisively Israel’s way. Belgium tried to push pace after a timeout but couldn’t buy a basket, while Israel responded with a 12–0 run to stretch the lead to 18. Avdija thrived as both scorer and playmaker, using his downhill gravity to pick apart the defense, finishing the half with 15 points and three assists. At the break, Israel led 51–36.

The third quarter saw Belgium give themselves second chances on the glass, but Israel’s free-throw pressure kept them in control, already in the bonus midway through the period. Coach Beit-Halahmy also sprinkled in a 2–3 matchup zone, slowing Belgium’s rhythm. By the end of the quarter, Israel was up 71–54.

But the game turned in the fourth. Belgium opened with a 4–0 run, then unleashed a 1-2-2 press after dead balls, hunting switches into Hans Vanwijn to collapse Israel’s defense. Their hot shooting, 13-of-20 in the quarter, sliced the deficit to single digits, forcing Israel into multiple timeouts. Avdija was again the hub, creating downhill, but some missed free throws and poor late-game decisions kept Belgium alive. With 2:23 left, Bar Timor’s three briefly steadied Israel, yet Belgium clawed back to within three in the closing seconds. It took Yam Madar’s composure at the line with four seconds left to finally ice the win.

Avdija led Israel with 22 points, supported by Sorkin’s efficient 18 and a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double from Ginat. Five players hit double figures, a reflection of Israel’s balanced attack. For Belgium, it was also a collective effort, with five double-digit scorers and Vanwijn nearly posting a triple-double (14 points, 11 boards, 9 assists). Belgium shot well from the floor (53% FG, 43% from three) but were undone by free-throw woes at 54%.

Israel’s interior control (44–32 points in the paint) and defensive versatility carried them through, even as they flirted with collapse. The victory not only secures their place in Riga but also shows both their ceiling and their vulnerability when closing out games.

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina 80, Greece 77

Bosnia and Herzegovina handed Greece their first loss of the group stage, holding on 80–77 after nearly letting a big second-half lead slip away.

Greece started the game with a clear plan: target Jusuf Nurkić in pick-and-roll. Early hedges and traps forced the Bosnian guards toward halfcourt and with Nurkić dragged into space, Greece closed on him with two or three bodies. On the other end, their ball movement flowed, Papanikolaou scored seven quick points, Mitoglou stretched the floor, and Dorsey hit from deep. A fast 8–2 run had them in control, and they were up by as many as 13 early in the second quarter.

But Bosnia slowly found their rhythm. Nurkić sat late in the first, replaced by Penava, who hit two threes to spark momentum. In the second, Robertson buried a pair of triples during an 18–0 surge that flipped the game. Greece went scoreless for nearly five minutes, struggling to create against Bosnia’s off-ball activity and physicality. The Dragons dominated the glass, 11 rebounds to Greece’s 4 in the quarter and went into halftime up 44–38.

The third quarter belonged to Bosnia again. Even without Nurkić on the floor to start, their size and switching defense rattled Greece into five turnovers in the first five minutes. Transition baskets and inside-out play extended the lead to nine, then 12. Emotions boiled over on the Greek side, their offense bogged down, and Bosnia carried a 61–52 cushion into the fourth.

Bosnia’s inside-out balance continued, with Nurkić punishing mismatches on high-low actions while kick-outs created early threes. Their guards’ length and size kept Greece’s smaller backcourt under pressure. By midway through the quarter, Bosnia was up 14. But fatigue crept in, Nurkic played almost the entire final frame and Greece sensed an opening. Hunting him again in pick-and-roll, Dorsey and Sloukas found easier scores, while defensive pressure forced turnovers and got them out in transition. A couple of threes cut the gap to single digits inside the final three minutes.

Bosnia nearly gave it away with rushed possessions and mistakes, and Greece’s late press made it a one-possession game in the final seconds. But Nurkić’s steady presence and a couple of key stops allowed Bosnia to survive.

Nurkić posted an all-around line, 18 points, 10 rebounds (6 offensive), 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block, while John Roberson matched him with 18, including four triples. Atic added 15 with 8 boards. For Greece, Sloukas led with 15 and 8 assists, and Dorsey chipped in 14, but they couldn’t overcome 17 turnovers and a pounding on the glass (19 Bosnian offensive rebounds).

Bosnia’s 18–0 run in the second quarter defined the game, and while they almost let it slip, they leave with a vital win that keeps their Round of 16 hopes alive.

 

 

Slovenia 87, Iceland 79

Slovenia punched their ticket to the Round of 16, but it was anything but straightforward. Iceland, still winless, pushed them to the edge behind a barrage of fourth-quarter threes before foul trouble and turnovers doomed their upset bid.

Slovenia opened by switching Luka Dončić onto every Tryggvi Hlinason screen. Dončić carried the early offense with drives and free throws, but foul trouble (three in the first quarter) kept him from finding rhythm. Without him, Slovenia struggled to create shots, their poor first-half three-point shooting keeping the game tight. On the other side, Hlinason dominated the glass and paired with Martin Hermannsson to generate fluid off-ball movement and transition points.

When Iceland sat Hlinason, Slovenia’s offense stretched out, finding more threes against a smaller lineup. Still, Iceland’s “big three” of Hermannsson, Fridriksson and Hlinason dictated much of the first half. Slovenia mixed in a Spanish pick-and-roll wrinkle to pull Hlinason away from the rim, giving Dončić lanes, but turnovers and cold shooting let Iceland stay in range. A drawn-up curl for Hermannsson closed the half, with Slovenia only narrowly ahead after Iceland had gone scoreless for three minutes.

The third quarter marked Slovenia’s best stretch. They went under screens to cut off Hlinason’s rolls and attacked Iceland’s smaller guards inside, even running flex actions to post up Dončić. He finally hit his first three midway through the frame, then buried another on the next trip to push Slovenia up double digits. Nikolić chipped in ball-handling support and 13 points through three quarters. By the end of the period, Slovenia led 60–46 after an 8–3 close.

Iceland refused to fold. Pállson sparked them with back-to-back threes, Hermannsson stayed aggressive and Hlinason even acted as a high-post playmaker, hitting cutters for easy scores. An astonishing stretch, six straight triples to start the fourth, cut Slovenia’s lead to just five (70–65). Dončić was forced back on after barely a 30-second rest.

But Iceland couldn’t sustain it. Free throw woes (3-of-8 through nine minutes of the fourth) and rushed threes after their hot run hurt them. Worse, Hlinason fouled out with just over three minutes left, robbing them of their interior anchor. Both sides went small, and Slovenia’s pressure turned the game: 22 points off 18 Iceland turnovers proved decisive. Gregor Hrovat’s corner three in the final minute sealed it.

Dončić wasn’t efficient from deep (2-of-10) but still finished with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, steadying Slovenia when it mattered. Hermannsson delivered his best of the tournament with 22 and 6 assists, while Hlinason posted 11 and 14 before fouling out.

Slovenia’s defense, late free throws, and turnover conversion outweighed Iceland’s heroic fourth-quarter shooting (7-of-9 from deep in the period). It wasn’t convincing, but Slovenia moves on.

 

Georgia 93, Cyprus 61

Cyprus came out fearless, opening with inverted pick-and-rolls to free Darral Willis Jr. to his left hand and using Gortat screens for Tigkas to attack the paint. Their defensive game plan was clear as well: swarm every Georgia post touch. With the hosts also crashing the glass for five early offensive boards, Georgia looked flat. They settled for jumpers, went just 3-of-13 from three, and attempted only four shots inside the arc in the first quarter. Only Tornike Shengelia brought urgency and after ten minutes it was just 15-13 Georgia.

Tigkas kept finding seams off the dribble while Cyprus even flashed a 2-3 zone, but Georgia finally caught fire late in the second period. A 13-2 run in the final three minutes, fueled by four made threes, completely flipped momentum. Cyprus still held an unlikely 20-4 edge in points in the paint, but Georgia’s outside shooting carried them to a 42-26 halftime lead.

The break saw Georgia reset with far more balance. Shengelia and Goga Bitadze spearheaded a 10-0 burst to open the third, asserting their size and quality inside to push the game out of reach. From there, Georgia’s natural superiority prevailed and the contest lost its tension.

Cyprus battled through Willis Jr. (19 points, 7 rebounds) and Tigkas (11 points), and they worked the offensive glass to the tune of 11 second chances. But Shengelia’s dominance (27 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) and Bitadze’s inside presence (21 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks) overwhelmed them. By the end Georgia had leveled up their paint production (30-28 PiP) and shot the ball efficiently across the floor.

The win brings Georgia to 2-2 in Group C, setting up a decisive clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place in the Round of 16, while Cyprus drop to 0-4 and remain winless at EuroBasket.

 

Italy 67, Spain 63

The game could hardly have started worse for Italy. They went scoreless for the first 7:33 while Spain raced out to a 13-0 lead. Italy’s body language reflected the struggle, Simone Fontecchio missed his first three looks and drifted out of the game, while Melli wasn’t able to steady things either. Even though Italy generated some decent shots, nothing was falling.

The turning point came with Saliou Niang’s introduction. His energy completely changed the tone, sparking Italy’s run to tie the game. Every time he was on the floor, Italy looked sharper and more connected. Every time he sat, the offense faltered. At halftime Spain still held a 36-30 lead, but the balance of play was shifting.

A technical foul on Coach Pozzecco in the third quarter gave Spain a brief boost, stretching the lead to 40-32. But Italy responded with heart, closing the frame on a 17-7 run to grab their first lead of the night at 49-47. From there it was a fight.

The fourth quarter was all about effort and physicality. Spain had been allowed to get away with some bumps early, but Italy adjusted and met the challenge. Niang, though, had to leave with an ankle issue and his absence was noticeable down the stretch. Still, others stepped forward: Spissu and Ricci delivered at the free throw line, and Italy’s grit on both ends carried them through.

With under a minute left Spain edged ahead 63-62, but Spissu calmly answered with two free throws and added two more in the final seconds followed by Ricci going 1/2 from the line to seal it. Italy’s 14-of-19 from the stripe (74%) proved decisive compared to Spain’s 13-of-22 (59%).

Spain got a big game from Santi Aldama (19 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists) and Sergio De Larrea (15 points, 7 rebounds), but they never fully recovered from their offensive stagnation. Italy, meanwhile, saw Niang post a double-double in just 15 minutes (10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks) before his injury, while Mouhamet Diouf gave key production off the bench (14 points, 8 rebounds in 19 minutes).

In the end, Italy’s resilience and defense held Spain to just 32% shooting, sealing a win that books their Round of 16 place with a statement performance against the reigning champions.

 

France 83, Poland 76

France came in with clear intent, opening with full-court pressure to wear down Poland’s ball-handlers and deny Jordan Loyd clean touches. Poland countered by running Ponitka through inside actions against Bilal Coulibaly and freeing Loyd off stagger screens. Early on, France’s energy created stops and buckets (5-of-7 to start), but foul trouble slowed their momentum. Poland stayed afloat by hitting their first three triples and punishing France’s slow rotations off a double-screen set at the top of the key.

The first half was a grind. France went three minutes without scoring late in the first, while Poland mixed in some zone that briefly disrupted the rhythm, France’s first attack against it was a turnover, echoing their struggles versus Israel. Even so, France’s size and switching on defense were problems for Poland, and their three-big lineup (Hoard–Risacher–Yabusele) gave them control inside, with 18 of their first 32 points coming in the paint. Still, with France ice cold from three (4-for-16), Poland used a Loyd–Ponitka burst to edge in front at the break, 44-41.

France opened the second half flat again, going nearly four minutes without a point, and Poland extended the margin. But that proved their last stretch of control. Yabusele caught fire, drilling from deep and bullying mismatches, while France dominated the glass. His run flipped the game, 4-of-6 from the field in the third, including two threes, as Poland went scoreless for four minutes and saw their own perimeter shooting crater (1-for-6 from deep in the quarter). France surged ahead 60-55 by the end of the third.

The captain wasn’t done. Yabusele hit back-to-back threes to open the fourth, giving France their largest cushion. Poland hung around through free throws, Balcerowski drew contact repeatedly, helped by an unsportsmanlike foul on TLC and by mid-quarter France were already in the penalty. But every time Poland closed the gap, France’s defense forced turnovers or second-chance scores off the offensive glass. With Poland within four inside the final two minutes, it was Elie Okobo’s step-back dagger that finally sealed it.

Yabusele finished with a career-high 36 points (6-of-12 from three), tying Tony Parker and Hervé Dubuisson for the third-highest single-game mark by a Frenchman at EuroBasket. France’s rebounding (22 offensive boards, 19 second-chance points) and superior depth eventually wore down Poland, who couldn’t overcome foul trouble, turnovers, and a dry spell from deep after their hot start.

France move to 3-1, bouncing back from their slip against Israel, while Poland suffer their first loss despite a raucous home crowd. In the end, Yabusele’s brilliance and France’s athleticism were simply too much.

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!