EuroBasket Day 6 served up the kind of chaos and clarity that only international basketball can provide. Records were broken, Knockout stage hopes were kept alive and the physical toll on rosters became impossible to ignore. Between clutch finishes, historic scoring outputs and mounting injury concerns, the tournament is starting to feel like a pressure cooker where every possession carries consequences and every missed shot or turnover can ripple through a team’s entire path to the Round of 16.

What’s striking about the latest slate of games is how style and strategy collided with circumstance. Teams leaned on pace, precision, and high-level execution, yet injuries and personnel limitations increasingly shaped outcomes. You could see it in the way a single player’s health, or lack thereof, shifted rotations, altered defensive schemes and forced others into roles they weren’t fully prepared for. EuroBasket is no longer just about talent; it’s about resilience, depth and timing and Day 6 offered a crystal-clear reminder of just how fragile and thrilling this tournament has become.

Montenegro 87, Sweden 81

Montenegro set the tone early with engaged defense, forcing four Sweden turnovers in the opening quarter. Nikola Vucevic came ready, scoring 7 points and grabbing 3 rebounds in the first 10 minutes, while Montenegro as a team hit the offensive glass hard with 4 boards. Still, Sweden stayed close, sparking their defense late in the quarter and running in transition for 7 fast break points. Montenegro led 18-15 after one.

Montenegro started the second quarter strong, even with Vucevic resting, opening on a 6-2 run. Sweden leaned on pace and pick and roll offense to stay in it but on the opposite side Montenegro kept punishing their drop coverage. Vladimir Mihailovic fueled an 11-4 run to close the half after Sweden briefly took the lead. Sweden’s 5-of-11 shooting from deep kept them within striking distance despite struggles inside. Montenegro went into halftime up 40-34.

Sweden opened the third with a 10-2 run, all created by Pelle Larsson either scoring or assisting. Vucevic continued to be effective in single coverage against Simon Birgander, but Sweden’s defense collapsed on him when others guarded, forcing him into playmaking where he was less effective. Sweden also flipped the pressure by attacking the rim, drawing 9 free throws in the quarter after just 7 in the entire first half. Their aggression paid off, and they led 65-64 heading into the fourth.

Montenegro responded with a 6-0 run to start the final period, but then went nearly five minutes without a score. Sweden took advantage with energy plays from Melwin Pantzar Njie and Larsson orchestrating nearly every possession. Just as Montenegro seemed to be fading, Kyle Allman erupted, after starting 0-for-9, he poured in 10 straight points to give his side the lead back. Vucevic then came up with a massive offensive rebound and putback to make it a two-possession game with 33 seconds left. Sweden committed a costly turnover on the next play, sealing their fate.

Montenegro’s 23-16 closing quarter highlighted their execution in the clutch. Vucevic was immense with 23 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks, showing why he’s still the anchor of this team. Allman overcame a rough shooting night to deliver when it mattered, finishing with 7 assists alongside his clutch scoring burst. Mihailovic and Igor Drobnjak added steady contributions.

For Sweden, Pelle Larsson was outstanding, putting up 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists as the clear engine of their attack, but six missed free throws (15-for-21 overall) and late turnovers proved too costly.

Montenegro, finally on the board in Tampere, keep their Round of 16 hopes alive, while Sweden’s path becomes much more difficult after this narrow defeat.

 

Turkey 84, Estonia 64

Turkey came out sharp on both ends, setting the tone with a highly efficient opening quarter. They scored 25 points on 3-of-3 shooting inside, 3-of-7 from deep, and most notably went to the line 14 times in the first 10 minutes. Estonia, on the other hand, struggled to generate clean looks and were limited to just 13 points. After one, Turkey led 25-13.

By halftime, Turkey’s physical edge was clear. They were punishing Estonia on the glass with a 26-11 rebounding advantage and continued to share the ball at a high level, racking up 12 assists. Smart off-ball cuts out of Alperen Sengun post-ups kept Estonia scrambling, as Sengun’s passing out of doubles opened up clean finishes. The Houston Rockets big man went into the break with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists as Turkey built a 46-27 lead. Estonia shot just 22% from the field in the half, salvaging some efficiency with a few makes from three.

Estonia finally found better rhythm after halftime, attacking with more physicality while still managing to limit fouls on the defensive end. They won the third quarter 22-19, capped by a well-drawn end-of-quarter set that gave them an open three. But Turkey had answers, using inverted pick-and-rolls to get Sengun attacking mismatches and leaning on Adem Bona’s defensive presence around the rim to protect their cushion. Estonia briefly flirted with momentum early in the fourth by trying a 2-3 zone and knocking down a couple of threes, but it wasn’t enough. Turkey calmly closed out the game 84-64.

The numbers reflected Turkey’s dominance: 28–16 points in the paint, a 41–26 rebounding edge, and a 20–10 advantage in points off turnovers. They shot efficiently at 54% inside the arc and 42% from three. Sengun once again starred with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, making EuroBasket history as the first player in the last 30 years to record three straight games of 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists. Bona added a major defensive spark, while Turkey’s collective ball movement (25 assists) showcased their depth.

For Estonia, Kristian Kullamäe (16 points) and Siim-Sander Vene Hermet (12 points) provided scoring, but overall the offense never found consistency, shooting just 11-of-30 inside the arc against Turkey’s size.

Already through to the Round of 16, Turkey extended their win streak to four, setting up a decisive group-stage finale against Serbia with first place on the line.

 

Germany 120, Great Britain 57

Great Britain came out with a clear plan, forcing switches and attacking Germany’s guards inside with some early success. Germany, meanwhile, looked slow to start, lacking urgency until their press (alternating between 2-2-1 and man after made FTs) disrupted GB’s rhythm. The first few minutes produced some entertaining offense both ways, but Germany locked in defensively late in the quarter, closing on a 13–1 run. Franz Wagner’s playmaking (6 first-quarter assists) fueled the surge as Germany shot 9-for-12 inside. Still, GB’s energy on the glass (7 ORebs) kept them in touch, trailing 32–19 after one.

From there, the gulf in quality and depth became obvious. Germany’s ball pressure and disciplined team defense, strong on the gaps but without unnecessary overhelp, set up transition chances. On offense, they flowed smoothly, even using Gortat screens to carve out driving lanes. Great Britain mixed in a 2-3 zone on SLOBs, but Germany’s movement and spacing solved it. By halftime the Germans had doubled up GB, 58–31, shooting 61% from the field and already showing complete control.

The third quarter was a rout. Germany pushed the pace at every chance but played with maturity, never forcing bad looks. The result: a 30–9 frame where GB managed just 4-of-16 shooting. By the end of three, it was 88–40, and the contest was long decided. Germany finished the job in style, crossing the 120-point mark in a 120–57 final.

The stat sheet underscored their dominance: 72% from two, 52% from three, a 41–26 rebounding advantage (GB’s 15 offensive boards the only category they edged). Tristan da Silva led with 25, while Wagner added 18 and 10 assists in just 18 minutes. For Great Britain, Myles Hesson and Patrick Whelan managed 11 apiece.

Historically, this was a landmark win: Germany’s highest EuroBasket scoring output since 1987, their largest margin in 66 years (+63), and the first time any team has scored 100+ in each of their first four games. For Great Britain, it marked their heaviest defeat in more than six decades.

 

Latvia 78, Portugal 62

Latvia came out firing, opening on a 7–0 run, while Portugal looked to establish Travante in the post against smaller Latvian guards. But Portugal’s static spacing made it easy for Latvia to load up defensively. On the other end, Latvia’s player and ball movement gave the Portuguese trouble, and Kristaps Porzingis stretched the floor early with three first-quarter triples. Portugal did fight back late, with Lisboa scoring four straight to trim the deficit to two, 23–21 after one.

Out of the huddle, Latvia attacked mismatches inside with Rolands Smits and kept Portugal off balance with Porzingis’ pick-and-pop game. Portugal tried switching, but that only left Porzingis attacking smaller defenders from the top. A 15–3 run broke the game open, and Latvia’s ball sharing (14 assists in the first half) fueled a dominant 27–7 second quarter. Portugal, meanwhile, made just one field goal in the period and shot 30% from the field by halftime. Latvia led 50–28 at the break, hitting 11 threes at a blistering 52%.

Portugal showed resilience in the second half. Lisboa scored 8 points in the third, and Gameiro gave them energy in the fourth with ball pressure, five points, and two assists. They even cut the deficit to 12, but never closer, as Latvia cooled off offensively and managed only 28 second-half points. Still, the cushion from their huge second quarter was more than enough to secure the 78–62 win.

Without Rodions Kurucs and now with Andrejs Grazulis ruled out for the tournament, the potential injuries to Arturs Zagars and Kristers Zoriks would be massive blows for this Latvian team if the worst case is confirmed. The group has been growing as the tournament goes on, as expected and seemed primed to peak during the knockout stages if things clicked. But it’s hard for any team to withstand so many significant setbacks. Nevertheless, one thing is certain: they are slowly starting to look more like themselves and when that happens, this is a team that can compete with anyone.

Porzingis paced Latvia with 21 points and 9 rebounds in 25 minutes, while three others joined him in double figures. Latvia finished with 20 assists and a perfect 16-for-16 from the line despite cooling to 41% overall. For Portugal, the positives were their 17 offensive rebounds and second-chance scoring, but poor shooting (34% FG, 28% 3PT, 58% FT) undermined their effort. Lisboa (17 points) and Neemias Queta (16 points, 7 rebounds) carried the offense, but it wasn’t enough against Latvia’s decisive first-half punch.

 

Lithuania 81, Finland 78

Lithuania secured a hard-fought victory over Finland, claiming an 81–78 win and booking their place in the Round of 16, though the game came at a cost with Rokas Jokubaitis suffering a knee injury that could jeopardize his tournament. The hosts started strong with a 9–2 run, but Lithuania’s defensive strategy quickly began to shape the contest. Smaller guards Normantas and Sargiunas were physical on Lauri Markkanen, making it difficult for him to get going, while Valanciunas, coming off the bench for the first time since EuroBasket 2015, rotated in whenever Lauri left the floor, anchoring Lithuania’s post play.

The first quarter was fast-paced, with both teams exchanging blows, yet Lithuania ended it slightly ahead at 21–20. In the second, the Lithuanians executed their pick-and-roll sets efficiently, particularly through Jokubaitis, and began to exploit interior mismatches. Lauri continued to struggle under tight defensive attention, finishing the half with only seven points on 3-of-9 shooting, while Jantunen kept Finland afloat with 13 first-half points. Lithuania outscored Finland 25–15 in the second quarter, building a 45–36 halftime lead, highlighted by 28 points in the paint and six second-chance points.

The third quarter saw mini-runs from both sides and some tactical adjustments. Finland pressed full-court but continued to allow Jokubaitis downhill opportunities, which he used to great effect, tallying 13 points and five assists in the half. The quarter was gritty and more physical, ending 12–12, with Lithuania maintaining a 57–48 edge.

Jokubaitis left with just over eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter due to injury, forcing Lithuania to rely more on Valanciunas and Blazevic, though their offensive rhythm stalled whenever neither was on the floor. Finland went 5-of-9 from three in the final quarter to cut the deficit to three, but a dagger corner three from Sedekerskis with 27 seconds left iced the game.

Defensively, Lithuania’s scheme was decisive. They held Finland to 46 points in the paint, collected 17 offensive rebounds and forced Finland into key misses despite Markkanen posting 19 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Jokubaitis contributed 16 points and nine assists before exiting, while Blazevic added 14 points and eight rebounds. For Finland, Jantunen finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.

 

Serbia 82, Czechia 60

Serbia dominated Czechia from the outset, immediately exposing their transition defense. Early fastbreak points piled up, giving Serbia a quick lead, and despite some early turnovers and hesitant decision-making from Avramovic, the team’s size and depth quickly established control. By the end of the first quarter, Serbia led 27–5, already capitalizing on Czechia’s inability to protect the rim or contain transition opportunities.

Czechia attempted a response in the second quarter, opening with a 7–2 run that briefly cut the deficit to 29–12. Serbia’s execution dipped momentarily with Micic still finding his rhythm and Jokic on the bench, but once he settled in, the team surged again. Serbia’s dominance inside the paint and ability to convert turnovers into points kept them firmly ahead, building a 45–23 halftime lead despite a poor 13% showing from three-point range. Rebounding (25–15) and assists (17–9) underscored their control, while 30 points in the paint compared to just eight for Czechia highlighted the mismatch in size and frontcourt execution.

The third quarter saw Czechia regroup and execute with better discipline, winning the frame 18–16 and cutting the gap to 61–43. Serbia’s lineup with Jovic, Jokic, and Milutinov continued to cause matchup nightmares, with Milutinov delivering an efficient 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting, seven rebounds, and two steals.

In the fourth, Serbia treated the game partly as a preparation exercise, giving Micic more reps as he worked back into shape after injury. A technical foul on Petr Krivanek after fouling a 3 point shot led to a four-point play for Serbia, extending their lead to 73–50. Czechia tried to mount a late surge, with Vit Krejci scoring consecutively, but Serbia’s composure, disciplined defense, and overwhelming paint dominance closed the game at 82–60. Serbia committed just nine fouls versus Czechia’s 23 and converted 23 fastbreak points, demonstrating both defensive discipline and opportunistic transition play.

This win kept Serbia undefeated at 4–0, secured their passage to the Round of 16, and set up a pivotal matchup against Türkiye for the top spot in Group A. Serbia’s tactical approach, leveraging interior dominance, selective perimeter shooting, and disciplined defense, proved decisive against an undersized and outmatched Czech side.

 

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!

Greece 94, Georgia 53

Giannis leads another ruthless Greek performance. Greece came out intent on pushing the pace, and Georgia struggled to generate clean looks against their length and physicality. Early on, Dinos Mitoglou stretched the floor with two quick pick-and-pop threes, while Giannis Antetokounmpo was involved in every action on both ends. Georgia’s offense repeatedly found itself deep into the shot clock, relying only on the occasional late mismatch attack to stay in touch.

A brief attempt at a 2-2-1 press to start the second quarter fizzled and Greece capitalized. Their defense turned stops into a transition masterclass, building a 46-29 halftime cushion. By then, Georgia were already showing cracks in focus, committing sloppy errors that Greece punished.

The third quarter was more of the same: Greece shared the ball, punished the double-teams Giannis attracted and kept Georgia out of rhythm. Even when Georgia went small and switched everything, finding some success by allowing only 5 points in the final 4 minutes, they still couldn’t score consistently on the other end. Greece won the quarter 23-12 and never looked back.

Giannis was dominant with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in 25 minutes, supported by Mitoglou’s 17 points. Greece finished with 28 assists, hit 14-of-26 threes (56%), and racked up a 19-0 edge in fast-break points. Georgia’s only positive came on the offensive glass (15 boards, 12 second-chance points), but they shot just 30% from the field and 18% from three. Mamukelashvili, Sanadze, and Shermadini reached double figures, while Goga Bitadze did not play and Toko Shengelia logged only a brief cameo.

The 94-53 win moved Greece to 3-0 in Group C, their defense and tempo once again overwhelming an opponent that quickly ran out of answers.

 

Slovenia 86, Belgium 69

Belgium opened with a clear defensive plan to contain Luka Dončić, using Jean-Marc Mwema on him early and switching with Ismaël Bako at times. Dončić missed his first four shots, and 2 quick fouls in the first quarter on Jean-Marc Mwema opened things up for Slovenia, with Edo Murić providing an early lift. Offensively, Belgium looked to pound the ball inside against Slovenia’s switching, but Slovenia’s guards and Dončić himself held up physically, keeping those post-up chances from turning into an advantage.

Trailing by double digits midway through the second quarter, Belgium started blitzing Dončić at the top of the floor. It worked briefly, but as Slovenia swung the ball, open threes began to drop. When Belgium abandoned that approach, Dončić went back to hunting mismatches against the smaller Lecomte. Unlike earlier games, Slovenia’s offense showed more balance, with multiple contributors easing the burden on Dončić. Defensively, they were sharp: Belgium had just 10 points in the first quarter, shot 1-of-7 from three in the half, and struggled to score in the paint against Slovenia’s compact help. Slovenia led 44-26 at halftime.

Slovenia opened the second half with a 7-0 run to stretch the lead to 19, but careless turnovers allowed Belgium to claw back within 11. Belgium caught fire from deep, hitting five threes in the third quarter while producing just two points in the paint. Slovenia mixed in a 2-3 zone on baseline inbounds, but their rotations were shaky. Still, Belgium’s short bench showed as their energy faded in the fourth.

That’s when Klemen Prepelič stepped up, scoring 6 of his 12 points in the final quarter to put the game away. Dončić closed with a historic triple-double, 26 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, becoming only the fourth player since 1995 to record one at EuroBasket. Slovenia dominated the glass 43-31, outscored Belgium 40-18 in the paint, and sealed their first Group D win at 86-69.

Belgium, now 1-2, had Bako battling inside but struggled to sustain their perimeter momentum. Slovenia, meanwhile, looked more fluid and collective than in previous outings, with Dončić making history in the process.

 

Israel 82, France 69

France looked disjointed to open the game, managing only six points in the first five minutes. The entry of Zaccharie Risacher (back-to-back threes, then 10 quick points) and Jaylen Hoard’s activity shifted momentum, with their length and pace difficult for Israel’s bench to match. Still, foul trouble in the first quarter with Deni Avdija drawing 3 fouls in under 2 minutes and Israel’s zone defenses kept Les Bleus out of rhythm. France shot just 14% from the field for most of the second quarter and went 3-of-13 from deep by halftime, while Israel stayed close through free throws and timely three-pointers. The game was tied 26–26 midway through the second before France regained a slim edge.

In the third, Deni Avdija and Yam Madar sparked Israel with consecutive threes and strong defense, helping their side take a 42–38 lead. Hoard (6-of-6 from the field at one stage) and Okobo’s back-to-back threes, including a four-point play, briefly carried France ahead by one entering the fourth.

But France unraveled in the final frame. Two early turnovers fueled Israel’s transition game, and Avdija pushed the pace, drawing fouls and piling on pressure. Israel strung together an 11-0 run, holding France scoreless for nearly three minutes, and seized control at 66–59. From there, France’s offense, bogged down against Israel’s 2-3 zone and overreliant on athletic plays, produced just 13 points in the quarter, their lowest of the tournament.

Avdija finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals in a commanding all-around display. Madar added 17 points, while Roman Sorkin’s inside presence and Israel’s stretch bigs opened the floor for guards to create. Israel shot 7-of-18 from three and limited France to 8-of-32, suffocating them with disciplined zone rotations despite some backdoor lapses.

France did tally 19 assists and 9 blocks, but their inconsistency and inability to solve Israel’s defensive looks proved costly. With the win, Israel moved to 2–1 in Group D, tied with France, and solidified their reputation as one of the tournament’s dark horses.

 

Spain 91, Cyprus 47

Spain were in control from the outset and had no trouble dispatching hosts Cyprus, 91-47. The defending champions imposed their size and ball movement throughout, winning the rebounding battle 46-24 and piling up 29 assists against just 11 for Cyprus. The hosts never found rhythm, finishing 0-of-2 from the free-throw line and committing 18 turnovers. Darral Willis was the lone bright spot, contributing 16 points and 6 rebounds.

Willy Hernangómez set the tone inside, leading Spain with 19 points on near-perfect shooting plus 8 rebounds and 3 assists. His production anchored an offense that shared the ball and spread the floor with 14 made three-pointers. By halftime Spain had built a 41-17 lead, and from there the gap only widened.

We saw Coach Scariolo use this game to test Juancho Hernangómez at the small forward position, a different look we haven’t seen so far in this tournament. It could become a weapon to exploit later and even though its effectiveness was hard to assess in this type of game, it’s something to keep an eye on.

Head coach Sergio Scariolo praised his team’s approach on the second night of a back-to-back, highlighting the unselfishness and composure that defined the performance. Spain improved to 2-1 in Group C, with a much tougher test against Italy ahead, while Cyprus remain winless at 0-3.

 

Poland 84, Iceland 75

Poland opened the game by pushing the pace and relying on Mateusz Ponitka as the floor general, setting a strong rhythm early. Iceland struggled to find cohesion offensively, turning the ball over frequently, while Poland’s own aggressiveness in transition also led to some early miscues. Tryggvi Hlinason posed a serious threat in the paint, forcing Poland to crowd the lane and adjust their interior defense. Jordan Loyd complemented the team effort with efficient cuts and smart reads off screens.

By halftime, Poland had accumulated 13 assists and controlled the flow, despite Iceland’s continued struggles from deep (3-of-17 from three). Poland extended their lead through a dominant third quarter, relying on transition scoring and careful ball movement. Iceland refused to go away, however, mounting a late fourth-quarter comeback that briefly gave them the lead with about three minutes remaining.

Poland responded immediately, taking advantage of a string of Icelandic fouls, including an unsportsmanlike and a technical, that shifted momentum decisively. Dominik Olejniczak’s mid-range hook and Loyd’s free throws in the final seconds sealed an 84-75 victory.

Ponitka finished with a near triple-double line of 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, underlining his role as Poland’s engine, while Poland out-rebounded Iceland 41-31 and matched them point-for-point in the paint despite Hlinason’s dominance. Fast-break execution also proved crucial, with Poland outscoring Iceland 18-11 in transition. The win secured Poland’s ticket to the Round of 16, keeping them unbeaten at 3-0 in Group D.

 

Italy 96, Bosnia & Herzegovina 79

Bosnia & Herzegovina came out with energy, quickly building an early six-point lead. Italy responded, staying patient and methodical, and headed into halftime with a narrow 44-40 advantage. Both teams showed offensive creativity, but Italy’s superior ball movement and spacing kept them in control despite Bosnia’s early aggressiveness.

The second half began similarly, with Bosnia briefly reclaiming the lead. Italy, however, adjusted efficiently, relying on the hot hand of Simone Fontecchio, who ended the night with 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, including 7-of-10 shooting from deep. The Azzurri maintained their advantage with a 28-21 third quarter and a 24-18 fourth quarter, combining sharpshooting with disciplined ball movement that produced 25 assists on the night.

Jusuf Nurkic starred for Bosnia with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Edin Atic added 10 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals. Italy’s overall offensive efficiency was remarkable, connecting on 58.3% from three and limiting Bosnia to just 5-of-21 from deep. The team also dominated the boards, finishing with a 46-24 advantage, which allowed them to generate multiple second-chance opportunities and control the tempo.

Tactically, Italy’s combination of spacing, off-ball movement, and high-volume three-point shooting forced Bosnia into difficult defensive rotations, especially when Fontecchio was operating off screens. Italy also showed patience against Bosnia’s defensive pressure, moving the ball and exploiting mismatches, while staying disciplined even after the ejection of coach Gianmarco Pozzecco early in the second half.

Darius Thompson and Marco Spissu contributed 14 points each, combining for 9 assists, supporting Italy’s offensive balance. Italy’s victory improved their record to 2-1 in Group C and set up a important matchup against Spain, while Bosnia falls to 1-2 and will face undefeated Greece next.

Simone Fontecchio made history for Italy at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 by setting a new single-game scoring record with 39 points against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 29-year-old forward, who struggled in Italy’s opening games, was unstoppable, hitting 13 of 20 shots, including 7 of 10 from three-point range, and also adding 8 rebounds and 3 assists. His performance surpassed Andrea Bargnani’s previous record of 36 points from EuroBasket 2011.

 

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 4 of EuroBasket 2025 was full of great basketball, showcasing some of the top teams in Europe. Germany, Serbia, France, Turkey, and Greece all stayed perfect, securing their spots in the Round of 16. The action was intense, with some teams pulling off nail-biting finishes while others cruised to victory.

From stunning individual performances to dominant team efforts, this day of games had it all. Nikola Jokić delivered a historic performance for Serbia, while Luka Dončić had a monster game for Slovenia. Belgium pulled off a great comeback win, Italy made a statement with a strong victory, and Estonia battled to a determined win. It was a day that truly highlighted the depth and talent of European basketball.

Germany 107, Lithuania 88

Germany, looking absolutely locked in, secured their spot in the EuroBasket 2025 Round of 16 by taking down Lithuania in Tampere with a final score of 107-88. It’s not just that they won; it’s how they did it.

Right from the opening tip, Germany’s offense was in a groove. Johannes Voigtmann was back in the starting lineup, the ball was zipping around, creating an immediate 10-2 cushion. Lithuania, to their credit, didn’t flinch, even briefly grabbing a 15-13 lead. But then the German shooting show started. Dennis Schröder, Daniel Theis, and Johannes Thiemann went a perfect 5-for-5 from downtown to start the game. Add in Franz Wagner, who was simply too much for Lithuania to handle due to his size making him a walking mismatch and you’ve got a recipe for a huge quarter. Maodo Lo’s three-pointer capped a 32-point offensive explosion, giving Germany a 32-20 lead after one, fueled by a slick eight assists on their way to six made threes.

The second quarter saw Lithuania hang tough. Wagner continued to capitalize on mismatches, and Andreas Obst drilled back-to-back threes to stretch the lead to 50-36. But Lithuania showed some real guts, with Sirvydis hitting a three as part of a 9-0 run that cut the deficit to just five, forcing Germany to call a timeout. Out of the break, Wagner put the hammer down with a clutch three of his own, stabilizing the Germans. They headed into halftime with a comfortable 55-47 lead, with Schröder (15 points), Theis (14), and Wagner (12) leading the charge. Jokubaitis and Sedekerskis did a nice job orchestrating for Lithuania, dishing out seven assists each.

In the third, it was more of the same, with Germany’s overwhelming depth and offensive firepower taking over. Obst knocked down his fourth three of the game, Theis remained perfect from the field, and the lead ballooned to 74-58. Lithuania battled hard, with Jokubaitis attacking the paint and their rebounding keeping them in the game, but they just couldn’t generate enough consistent offense to mount a serious threat. Germany maintained their double-digit lead, heading into the final frame firmly in control.

From that point on, it was vintage Germany. Their defense tightened up, leading to easy transition baskets, and their half-court offense was a thing of beauty. Wagner was creating mismatches all over the floor, Schröder was pulling the strings and role players like Lo, Obst and Isaac Bonga were stepping up with timely plays. In the end, Germany’s talent and depth wore Lithuania down. They finished the game hitting 19 threes at a blistering 54%, forced 17 turnovers and cruised to a 107-88 victory.

The final numbers tell the story. Daniel Theis was flawless, putting up 23 points on a perfect 9-for-9 from the field, including three from long range. Schröder and Wagner were a dynamic duo, combining for 50 points, while Obst was deadly from deep, adding 18 points on 4-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. For Lithuania, Jokubaitis led the way with 20 points, but the high turnover count and lack of offensive options were just too much to overcome.

It was the usual German formula: stay close and then let their offense become an unstoppable machine in the second half. At 3-0, they’re not just perfect; they’ve officially booked their trip to Riga. Lithuania, now 2-1, will have to shake this one off quickly as they face a crucial game against host Finland to lock up second place in the group.

 

Estonia 89, Czechia 75

It almost felt like EuroBasket had shifted north to Tallinn. Backed by their many fans, Estonia fed off the energy in the arena and overwhelmed Czechia 89-75 for their first win of Group A at EuroBasket 2025.

Estonia’s effort and energy were evident from the opening tip. Even while starting 0-for-6 from three in the first quarter, they fought for extra possessions, defended physically, and closed the period ahead 23-19. The tone was set: hustle would be their weapon.

The second quarter was where Estonia truly broke the game open. They played a nearly flawless half, committing zero turnovers while punishing Czechia in every hustle category. They outrebounded their opponents 21-16, including eight offensive boards, and cashed in at the free-throw line (11/12 vs. 5/9). Despite a poor 2-for-11 clip from beyond the arc, they stormed to a 54-36 halftime lead thanks to 31 second-quarter points, 14 of them inside the paint.

Czechia had no solutions after the break. Estonia’s physical defense denied anything easy, and by midway through the third quarter, the gap had exploded to 68-40. Heading into the final frame, Estonia led 77-54, having completely dictated the pace of the game.

The final numbers told the story: Estonia outrebounded Czechia 43-34, dominated the steal battle 7-2, and committed only five turnovers compared to Czechia’s 16. That translated into 24 points off turnovers (versus just 6 for Czechia) and a commanding 44-26 edge in points in the paint. Even on a night when they shot just 17 percent from deep, Estonia’s will and execution carried them through.

Kristian Kullamäe embodied that spirit. Wearing the now-iconic number 77, he nearly posted a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal in just over 30 minutes. Henri Drell added 15 points off the bench, giving Estonia another crucial spark.

For Czechia, Martin Peterka led with 13 points off the bench, but the team fell to 0-3 and now faces a brutal finish against Serbia and hosts Latvia.

Meanwhile, Estonia climb to 1-2, keeping their knockout hopes alive. On Monday, they’ll meet Türkiye before closing the group against Portugal. With their fighting spirit, control of the little details, and the backing of their fans, Estonia proved they’re not done yet.

 

Italy 79, Georgia 62

Italy is officially on the board at EuroBasket 2025, grinding out a tough 79-62 win over Georgia in a physical Group A battle. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was exactly the kind of gritty, tactical victory they needed after an opening loss.

Early in the gaame, Italy’s game plan was crystal clear: shut down the paint and force Georgia to shoot. Georgia tried to run their offense through the Baldwin-Shengelia pick-and-pop actions, but with zero spacing and ice-cold shooting (an atrocious 0-for-8 from deep in the first quarter), their offense went nowhere. Italy wasn’t exactly a well-oiled machine on offense, but their defense and physicality were enough to give them an 18-10 lead after one.

The second quarter was a bit more back-and-forth. Italy’s offense, which looked much better than it did against Greece, started to get to the free-throw line and find some better looks. On the other end, Georgia tried to push the pace in transition to avoid their stagnant half-court offense. Sandro Mamukelashvili was a force with his attacks at the rim, and Kamar Baldwin started to find his rhythm, helping Georgia gain confidence and stay in the fight heading into halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Georgia had their best stretch of the game and really put the pressure on Italy. But the Azzurri stayed poised, got Goga Bitadze into foul trouble, and started to find ways to break down Georgia’s tough defense. By the end of the quarter, Italy had regained control of the game.

The fourth quarter is where the game was decided. Georgia went over seven minutes without a single field goal, while Italy blew the game open with a decisive 16-0 run, turning what was a close contest into a comfortable 66-47 cushion. Frustration boiled over for Georgia, with Tornike Shengelia getting ejected with under three minutes to play. From there, their fight gave way to complaints, and Italy coasted to the finish.

In the end, it was Italy’s patience, discipline, and physicality that made all the difference. They held Georgia to just 3-for-21 from three-point range, punishing their lack of spacing, and stayed composed while their opponents lost theirs. It was the kind of gritty, necessary win that keeps Italy in the hunt for a knockout round spot. As for Georgia, they’ll be left to regret not only the loss, but the way they completely unraveled when Italy pulled away.

 

Belgium 71, Iceland 64

Iceland started strong and led for nearly the entire game. They were up 21-17 after the first quarter, 36-32 at halftime, and still had a comfortable 52-46 lead heading into the final period. With just over five minutes remaining, a dunk from Tryggvi Hlinason extended their lead to 62-55, and the Icelandic fans in the arena could feel a historic first EuroBasket win was within their grasp.

But then, everything changed. Belgium clamped down on defense and started to dominate the glass. This hustle quickly translated into points, as they finished with a massive 20-4 advantage in second-chance scoring. That dominance led to a game-winning 16-2 run over the final three minutes.

Despite a tough shooting night, Emmanuel Lecomte came up huge when it mattered most. He hit a go-ahead driving layup with under 30 seconds left and calmly sank the free throws to seal the win for Belgium. He finished the game with a solid stat line of 16 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds.

For Iceland, the shooting numbers were ugly, with the team going just 3-of-22 from three-point range. Tryggvi Hlinason had an outstanding performance with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks, but his effort wasn’t enough to hold off Belgium’s late charge. The Lions’ grit and depth earned them their first win in the tournament, while Iceland was left heartbroken, still searching for that elusive first victory.

 

Sweden 78, Great Britain 59

Sweden got their first win at EuroBasket 2025, taking down Great Britain 78-59 in a game they controlled pretty much the whole way. It was a historic win for them, their first in the tournament since 2013 and a much-needed one for their campaign.

From the very beginning, the contrast in energy was noticeable. Great Britain looked sluggish and flat, while Sweden came out with intensity, racking up six steals in the first quarter alone. They finished the period up 19-13 and it was so bad for GB that their coach called a timeout to challenge his players’ effort. The second quarter started with an 8-0 Swedish run that made it 27-13. Pelle Larsson, even though he was clearly not at 100% after missing the last game with an illness, still gave Sweden an edge. To their credit, GB found a rhythm late in the half by moving the ball more, cutting the deficit to 35-30 at the break.

That was as close as Great Britain would get. Sweden steadily rebuilt their lead in the second half, while GB’s offense never found its footing. Larsson, despite his five turnovers, was a huge spark, finishing with a game-high 23 points, to go with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Melwin Pantzar also stuffed the box score with 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals. The final numbers tell the story of Sweden’s dominance: they led for almost the entire game (39:55), shot a blistering 61.8% from the field, and had a massive 40-26 advantage in points in the paint. Great Britain’s offense, on the other hand, was an absolute mess, shooting just 27.8% from the floor, somehow managing a better percentage from three (29.6%) than their field goal percentage in this game.

The win puts Sweden at 1-2 in Group B and keeps their knockout stage hopes alive. Meanwhile, Great Britain dropped to 0-3, undone by a lack of intensity, too many turnovers and a complete inability to create any consistent offense.

 

Serbia 84, Latvia 80

Serbia’s perfect run in Group A continues, as they held off a resilient Latvia squad with an 84-80 victory in Riga. The win was a masterclass from Nikola Jokic, who delivered a historic performance with 39 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals to single-handedly push Serbia into the Round of 16.

The atmosphere was electric, with Latvia’s home crowd fired up. Latvia started the game looking good, moving the ball and getting everyone involved. However, a major blow came midway through the first quarter when Andrejs Grazulis went down with an injury and was ruled out. Serbia immediately capitalized on their physical advantage, attacking mismatches inside. They scored 18 of their 22 first-quarter points in the paint and dominated the glass, outrebounding Latvia 13-4.

The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair. Latvia hit back with back-to-back threes from Arturs Zagars and Davis Bertans to briefly take the lead. They even went to a small-ball lineup, but they had no answer for Jokic, who relentlessly drew fouls and punished them on the block. Serbia regained control, extending their lead to nine before Latvia cut it to 42-38 at halftime. The numbers were telling: Serbia had 22 points in the paint and eight offensive rebounds, while Latvia was kept in the game by shooting 44% from deep.

In the third quarter, Serbia built their largest lead of the game at nine points. While Kristaps Porzingis came up with back-to-back blocks to spark a small Latvian run, Serbia’s dominant interior presence eventually wore them down. By the end of the third, Serbia was up 67-56, with a commanding 38-16 advantage in paint scoring and a 29-22 rebounding edge.

Latvia, though, refused to quit. Davis Bertans put on a clinic in the fourth quarter, crashing the boards and hitting clutch shots to cut the lead to seven with seven minutes left. He and Rolands Smits hit key threes to bring Latvia within four, and Arturs Kurucs drilled a corner three to make it a two-point game in the final minute. But Serbia always had an answer. Ognjen Dobric hit two huge threes early in the quarter for some breathing room, and with 90 seconds left, Jokic sealed the deal by calmly draining a big three of his own. He then iced the game from the free-throw line after Latvia’s late surge.

For Latvia, Bertans was excellent with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Zagars controlled the pace for stretches. However, without Grazulis and with no real answer for Serbia’s physicality, they were simply overpowered inside. Serbia’s win, powered by Jokic’s brilliance, moves them to 3-0 and punches their ticket to the Round of 16. Latvia dropped to 1-2 but showed flashes of their 2023 identity, keeping their hopes very much alive with winnable games against Portugal and Czechia still ahead.

 

France 103, Slovenia 95

France has remained perfect in Group D after a hard-fought 103-95 victory over Slovenia in a heavyweight clash in Katowice. While Luka Dončić put on another spectacular show, France’s overwhelming depth and size proved to be the deciding factors. A career night from Sylvain Francisco and a massive second-half from Alexandre Sarr were key to the win.

France set the tone from the opening tip with full-court pressure, trying to disrupt Slovenia’s rhythm. Luka, though, was up for the challenge, creating 11 of Slovenia’s first 14 points. Slovenia managed to keep pace with transition baskets and by living at the free-throw line, where they shot 15 free throws in the first quarter. Zaccharie Risacher hit two quick threes off the bench for France, but Slovenia still closed the period up 30-28. In the second, Slovenia actually thrived with Luka on the bench, as their defense effectively collapsed on driving lanes. Francisco kept France in it with his relentless drives and perimeter shooting. But before halftime, Dončić took over, rattling off an 8-0 run by himself to send Slovenia into the locker room up 54-47. He was already sitting on 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists.

France responded in the third quarter by tightening up on defense. They were more disciplined, cut down on fouling, and started targeting Luka in pick-and-roll situations. Francisco was again the driving force behind the comeback, pulling France within two with his shot-making. Slovenia’s offense cooled off, managing just 16 points in the frame. The lead was down to 70-68 heading into the final period. With Luka resting to start the fourth, France immediately seized control with a 6-2 run. Slovenia’s fatigue began to show as they gave up costly offensive rebounds and second-chance points. Sarr’s length became a decisive factor, as he was switching onto guards, blocking shots, and punishing Slovenia inside. Francisco continued his remarkable night, and when Yabusele and Okobo added clutch buckets, France put together a late 6-0 burst to seal the win.

Francisco was sensational, finishing with 32 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, silencing any doubt about France’s point guard rotation. Sarr added 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The real story, however, was France’s depth, with five players in double-digits and a stunning 78 points from their bench. They also dominated the interior, outscoring Slovenia 38-20 in the paint. Dončić did everything in his power, putting up a monster line of 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists, while going 19-of-20 from the free-throw line. But in the end, Slovenia’s thinner rotation just couldn’t keep pace. France is now 2-0 in Group D, showing off their overwhelming depth, while Slovenia drops to 0-2 and now faces a critical game against Belgium to keep their hopes alive.

 

Greece 96 Cyprus 69

Greece stayed perfect in Group C, taking care of hosts Cyprus 96-69 behind the scoring of Tyler Dorsey and Dinos Mitoglou.

The game opened with both sides struggling to find rhythm, just 3-0 for Cyprus after three minutes. The hosts looked to their flex actions and post touches for their forwards but couldn’t convert. Greece, running with a tweaked lineup that only kept Dorsey from the previous starting five, also started cold despite creating the right looks. That changed quickly when Dorsey caught fire, scoring 8 straight points (two threes and a tough mid-range jumper), and Larentzakis added another triple to give Greece a 13-8 lead midway through the first.

From there, Cyprus tried to keep pace in transition but couldn’t contain Greece’s speed. Their defensive fouls fueled free points, while Greece’s energy in the open floor flipped the game. By the end of the first quarter, Greece led 22-13.

The second quarter followed a similar script, Cyprus hanging around thanks to Greece’s inconsistent intensity. Turnovers weren’t an issue for the hosts (just 12 all game), which allowed them to avoid being completely run out of their own gym. But once the second half began, Greece picked up the defensive pressure, strung stops together, and turned the contest into a track meet. They piled up 24 fast-break points and buried open looks from deep, finishing 13-for-29 from three.

Dorsey led the way with 18 points in just 20 minutes, while Mitoglou added an equally efficient 18 in 16 minutes. Cyprus got 15 points and 8 rebounds from Darral Willis and 12 from Filippos Tigkas, but once Greece’s defense locked in, the talent gap became too much.

Greece move to 2-0 with their expected win, while Cyprus remain winless and face the challenge of Spain next.

 

Finland 85, Montenegro 65

Tuovi’s defense and Markkanen’s double-double lead the way. Finland started with the usual spark from Sasu Salin and Lauri Markkanen, who combined for 8 of the first 10 points, but Montenegro matched their energy early. The first quarter ended tied at 23 after Montenegro closed strong by getting to the free-throw line.

The game flipped in the second period. Tuovi’s defensive game plan took over, forcing 11 turnovers in the first half and holding Montenegro to just 14 points in the quarter. On the other end, Finland executed some of the best half-court actions of the tournament so far, including a zoom action for Markkanen to attack the middle for a dunk, a backscreen lob, and an end-of-quarter pick-and-pop with a hammer set that successfully closed out both quarters with a made basket. By halftime Finland had built a 47-37 cushion, capitalizing on offensive rebounds and turnovers to control tempo.

In the second half, Finland’s defense never let Montenegro back in. The hosts forced 20 turnovers overall, scored 25 points off them, and limited their opponents to 39% shooting. Even on a cold night from three (26%), Finland dominated inside (67% on twos, 36–26 points in the paint, 14–7 second-chance points).

Markkanen was again the anchor with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while four other Finns also reached double figures. Montenegro got 15 points from Andrija Slavkovic and 14 from Drobnjak, but Nikola Vučević struggled with just 7 points on 2-of-10 shooting and 5 turnovers, despite his 12 rebounds.

With the 85-65 win, Finland advance to the Round of 16 in front of another sell-out crowd in Tampere, their defense and balance proving too much for a Montenegro side still searching for their first victory.

 

Turkey 95, Portugal 54

From the very beginning Turkey dictated the terms of this game, taking Portugal completely out of rhythm. Travante Williams picked up two quick fouls and without their best on-ball defender Portugal had no answer for Turkey’s physicality. On-ball defense from Turkey was elite, full of deflections, steals and ball pressure and Portugal never found any consistent offensive flow. By halftime they had already committed 14 turnovers, more than in their entire game against Serbia.

That defensive dominance fueled Turkey’s transition attack, piling up an estimated 25 points off turnovers. Their interior game was just as punishing: Portugal’s lack of depth and size inside was fully exposed, with Queiroz overmatched against Turkey’s bigs. The collapse of the Portuguese defense, including brief zone looks, only opened more clean shots. Turkey ended with 48 points in the paint and shot efficiently from deep (8-of-19).

Alperen Sengun led the way with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists all in just 21 minutes, sitting the entire fourth quarter. Furkan Korkmaz and Onuralp Bitim added a spark off the bench to help build the halftime lead to 24 and from there the result was never in doubt. Turkey finished at 60% shooting while holding Portugal to just 31%, securing a 95-54 win and an unbeaten 3-0 start in Group A.

  

Spain 88, Bosnia & Herzegovina 67

Spain came out sharp and never really let Bosnia settle. Both teams played with flair early, but Spain’s efficiency made the difference: at halftime they were shooting 42% from deep compared to just 10% for Bosnia, while also taking better care of the ball (5 turnovers to 8). A late Bosnia three before the break trimmed the gap to 14, but Spain still held a comfortable 44-30 lead.

From there the defending champions kept their foot down. Quick threes out of halftime stretched the margin, and Bosnia’s attempts to hang around were undone by cold shooting from the perimeter (3-of-21 for the game). In contrast, Spain buried 15 triples overall. Santi Aldama (4-of-6 from three, 19 points) and Dario Brizuela (5-of-9 from deep, 15 points, 5 assists) led the charge in a shooting clinic that decided the game.

Spain’s defense also did its job, limiting Jusuf Nurkić to just 10 points and keeping Bosnia from generating rhythm in the halfcourt. In the end, the combination of perimeter firepower and defensive control gave Spain a crucial 88-67 win, leveling their Group C record at 1-1 and restoring momentum after their opening loss.

 

Poland 66, Israel 64

Loyd delivers late as Poland grind out second win. Poland jumped out quickly behind Jordan Loyd and Mateusz Ponitka, leaning on the short roll in pick-and-roll and even posting up Israel’s guards. They led 19-14 after the first, then mixed in a 2-3 matchup zone and constant defensive switches to keep Israel guessing. By halftime, Poland had controlled pace and execution to take a 37-26 advantage.

The game flipped in the third quarter. Israel ramped up ball pressure, delaying Poland’s offense and feeding Deni Avdija in adjusted post-up actions that pulled him away from the block and set him up to attack the middle of the floor. Avdija exploded for 16 points in the frame as Israel stormed ahead with a 25-11 quarter, seizing a 51-48 lead.

Poland answered in the fourth. Ponitka opened with a 5-0 run, and the hosts finally found their range, hitting 4-of-8 from three in the final period. Still, it came down to the final possessions. Avdija hunted mismatches and nearly carried Israel to the win, but Loyd scored 10 points down the stretch, including the game-winning tip-in off his own miss. Israel had one last chance, but Avdija’s contested step-back three rimmed out, sealing a 66-64 Poland victory.

It was a gritty contest with both coaches leaving fingerprints on the game plan. Poland shot inconsistently and turned it over 17 times, but won the rebounding battle 51-40 and leaned on their stars: Loyd (27 points, 5-of-8 from deep) and Ponitka (16 points, 11 boards). Avdija stood out in defeat with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, but Israel fell to 1-1 while Poland stayed unbeaten at 2-0 in Group D.

 

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!