With EuroBasket 2025 tipping off, this is your one-stop destination for in-depth previews of all 24 national teams heading into Europe’s premier basketball tournament. Whether you’re tracking MVP candidates, X’s-and-O’s brilliance, or just figuring out who might crash the medal party, our Power Rankings and team-by-team breakdowns will keep you ahead of the curve.

Greece: Built Around Giannis, But Is It Enough?

Group C – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Greece heads into EuroBasket 2025 with a proven formula: elite defense, discipline and Giannis Antetokounmpo doing superhuman things. It has worked before and it will keep them in any game. But as always, the question is whether the supporting cast can carry its weight — especially when Giannis is not on the floor. They were quietly shaky in qualifying and unless a few wings step up, they might walk the familiar tightrope between contender and crash-out.

Best Players: Giannis is the obvious focal point and after a strong Olympic campaign in the “group of death” last summer, he enters EuroBasket ready to dominate. His rim pressure, transition game and defensive range change the equation entirely. Papanikolaou brings toughness and defensive stability on the wing. Toliopoulos was the most consistent presence in the qualifiers, playing all six games, though he often took a backseat when higher-caliber talent was available.

Path: Greece finished 5–1 in a surprisingly competitive group. Wins rarely came easy: their largest margin was just 9 points, and even the games against lighter opponents were tight — they beat the Netherlands by 4 and 2, and lost to Great Britain by one. It was enough to qualify comfortably, but not without flashing a few warning signs.

Strengths: Defense is the identity here. Greece finished top-4 defensively in the qualifying stage, and Giannis only elevates that ceiling. The coaching staff does an excellent job masking weaknesses and playing to the strengths of each lineup. Off-ball movement and role clarity are key pillars — though those may shift a bit with Giannis absorbing more on-ball usage.

Weaknesses: The half-court offense remains a concern. Without Giannis, creation dries up quickly, and shooting limitations across the roster can shrink the floor even when he’s in. Spacing remains an issue, and teams that load up the paint can neutralize much of their drive-and-kick action. They’ll need someone to find rhythm as a secondary engine.

Bottom Line: Giannis gives Greece a real chance, and their defense will keep them alive in any matchup. But without better shooting and more reliable creation, the same old story could play out. If role players step up, they’re dangerous. If not, they’ll lean heavily on one of the best player in the tournament to carry the load — again.

Expectation: Dangerous, But Still Dependent

This is a top-heavy team. Giannis can win you a knockout game, but they need more than that to win the whole thing.

This article was co-written by the hosts of the European Hoops podcast, Tiago Cordeiro and André Lemos. Subscribe to the podcast and follow European Hoops on Twitter: @EthosEuroleague.

With EuroBasket 2025 tipping off, this is your one-stop destination for in-depth previews of all 24 national teams heading into Europe’s premier basketball tournament. Whether you’re tracking MVP candidates, X’s-and-O’s brilliance, or just figuring out who might crash the medal party, our Power Rankings and team-by-team breakdowns will keep you ahead of the curve.

Cyprus: Host Role, Harsh Reality

Group C – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Hosting EuroBasket 2025 should be a moment of celebration for Cyprus, but on the court, it’s shaping up to be a steep uphill climb. The home crowd will bring energy, but the talent gap is stark — Cyprus went 0–6 in the qualifiers and none of the losses were particularly close.

Best Players: Konstantinos Simitzis showed flashes during qualifiers, while Darral Willis was one of their better performers but won’t suit up for the tournament. Filippos Tigkas is the name to watch — a crafty young guard who could emerge as a breakout player despite the team’s struggles.

Path: 0–6. Cyprus never managed to find footing or momentum and couldn’t compete for wins across the board. As tournament hosts, they qualify automatically — but on paper, they remain a tier below the rest of Group C.

Strengths: Tigkas brings legitimate talent and flair to the backcourt. He’ll be given the keys and a green light, which could lead to some highlight moments even in tough losses.

Weaknesses: The talent gap is real. Cyprus struggles to shoot from deep, turns the ball over too often, and lacks the depth or size to compete for four quarters. They’ll battle — but realistically, they’ll be outgunned in every matchup.

Bottom Line: Cyprus is here thanks to the host berth, and they’ll embrace the stage — but every game will be a survival test. Still, the experience could be invaluable for their younger core.

Expectation: #24 – The Host Underdog

Competitive spirit isn’t the issue. Talent is.

This article was co-written by the hosts of the European Hoops podcast, Tiago Cordeiro and André Lemos. Subscribe to the podcast and follow European Hoops on Twitter: @EthosEuroleague.

With EuroBasket 2025 tipping off, this is your one-stop destination for in-depth previews of all 24 national teams heading into Europe’s premier basketball tournament. Whether you’re tracking MVP candidates, X’s-and-O’s brilliance, or just figuring out who might crash the medal party, our Power Rankings and team-by-team breakdowns will keep you ahead of the curve.

Germany: Reloading in Group B with NBA Talent and Experience

Germany’s 4–2 qualifying run was solid but hardly the full story. They swept Montenegro, split games with Bulgaria and Sweden — including a dominant 19-point win over Sweden at home — showing they can adjust and respond under pressure.

Best Players: David Krämer was Germany’s steadiest presence during the qualifiers, delivering efficient scoring across all six games. But the real firepower arrives with the NBA reinforcements: Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, and Tristan da Silva headline a dynamic core. Isaiah Hartenstein will miss the tournament due to rehab, but if the rest stay healthy, this is one of the most talent-rich groups in the field.

Strengths: Schröder and Wagner provide clear leadership in the backcourt and wing, while Krämer and Andreas Obst offer elite off-ball shooting and movement. The big men are versatile, able to make plays in the post or stretch the floor. Germany’s defined roles and experience from recent international play give them a strong foundation.

Weaknesses: Schröder’s aggressive style can lead to turnovers and forced offense, sometimes settling for tough isolation plays or contested threes. Wagner’s outside shooting remains a question after shooting 20% from deep at the last Olympics. If that doesn’t improve, opponents can clog driving lanes.

Bottom Line: Germany arrives in Group B with championship aspirations. If their stars stay healthy and Schröder cleans up his decision-making, they’ll be a major threat. Their blend of experience, NBA talent and clear roles makes them one of the favorites.

Expectation: Legit Title Contenders

One of Europe’s elite teams looking to make a serious run at EuroBasket 2025.

This article was co-written by the hosts of the European Hoops podcast, Tiago Cordeiro and André Lemos. Subscribe to the podcast and follow European Hoops on Twitter: @EthosEuroleague.

With EuroBasket 2025 tipping off, this is your one-stop destination for in-depth previews of all 24 national teams heading into Europe’s premier basketball tournament. Whether you’re tracking MVP candidates, X’s-and-O’s brilliance, or just figuring out who might crash the medal party, our Power Rankings and team-by-team breakdowns will keep you ahead of the curve.

Great Britain: A Team of Grit, Size and Searching for Identity

Group B – EuroBasket 2025 Preview

Great Britain heads into EuroBasket 2025 with a roster that has shown flashes of promise but still lacks a clear, consistent identity. Their 4–2 qualifying record included some eye-catching wins but also moments of defensive confusion. The question is whether they can build enough cohesion to challenge the continent’s heavyweights.

Great Britain: Depth and Size Without a Dominant Big

Best Players: Great Britain doesn’t have a single go-to star, but several players took turns leading the way during qualifiers. Gabe Olaseni anchored the interior while Quinn Ellis emerged as a dynamic backcourt threat. OG Anunoby remains eligible but is still a question mark for FIBA play and Brooklyn Nets forward Tosan Evboumwan could give them a much-needed physical boost inside if available.

Strengths: Great Britain’s roster boasts size and length at nearly every position, which allows them to compete physically. They’re disciplined in shot selection, consistently hunting the best look. Their three-point shooting is solid, even if it comes on low volume, adding an important dimension to their offense.

Weaknesses: When Ellis isn’t on the floor, the team struggles for clarity and rhythm. They lack a dominant interior presence, a vulnerability that could be exposed against physical teams like Lithuania, Germany, or Montenegro. Despite their energy, defensive rotations are often sloppy, leading to costly mistakes.

Bottom Line: Great Britain is a scrappy, sizable group that can hang with most teams for stretches. But unless they tighten up defensively and develop a clearer identity on offense, deep runs will remain elusive in a loaded Group B.

Expectation: Middle Tier team

Size and effort are there, but consistency and direction are still a work in progress.

This article was co-written by the hosts of the European Hoops podcast, Tiago Cordeiro and André Lemos. Subscribe to the podcast and follow European Hoops on Twitter: @EthosEuroleague.