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!