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!

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!