EuroBasket 2025: A Round of 16 Where Goliath Stumbled and David Danced

In perhaps the most stunning upset of the tournament, Georgia defied all expectations, sending a heavily favored French squad packing with a decisive 80-70 victory. The narrative was simple yet brutal: France, the reigning Olympic silver medalists and EuroBasket vice-champions, simply couldn`t find the basket from beyond the arc. A woeful 6-for-36 from three-point range isn`t just a bad night; it`s a strategic meltdown, a fundamental failure to execute that cost them dearly.

Conversely, Georgia played with the heart of lions and the precision of sharpshooters. Led by the dynamic duo of Tornike Shengelia and Thaddus McFadden Baldwin, who each poured in 24 points, the Georgian team exhibited a clinical efficiency, especially from long range, hitting 10 of their 18 attempts. Baldwin`s crucial late-game triples were the daggers that solidified their lead and etched this victory into national lore. This wasn`t just a win; it was a statement. A nation`s sporting history just received a glorious new chapter.

France 70 – Georgia 80

Meanwhile, in a testament to grit and resilience, Poland orchestrated a spirited comeback against Bosnia, securing their quarter-final berth with an 80-72 triumph. The Poles initially trailed, finding themselves staring down an 11-point deficit as Bosnia, fueled by Nurkic and Roberson, asserted early dominance. Yet, Milicic`s men refused to yield.

The tide began to turn with the sheer brilliance of Jordan Loyd, who led all scorers with 28 points, alongside the robust double-double performance of Pontika (19 points, 11 rebounds). A pivotal moment arrived in the fourth quarter when Bosnia`s Roberson suffered an injury, disrupting their rhythm. Poland seized the opportunity, tightening their defense and calmly converting crucial free throws to close out the game. It was a victory forged in determination, proving that sometimes, simply refusing to quit is the most effective strategy.

Poland 80 – Bosnia 72

In a performance that felt less like a basketball game and more like a carefully crafted highlight reel, Giannis Antetokounmpo single-handedly willed Greece past Israel with an 84-79 victory. The “Greek Freak” was, to put it mildly, unstoppable. With a monumental 37 points and 10 rebounds, Giannis showcased a dominance that made the other nine players on the court seem, at times, to be playing a different sport altogether. His 18-for-21 shooting from inside the arc was an exhibition of sheer athletic force and precision, leaving Israel`s defense utterly perplexed.

Despite a valiant effort from Israel`s Avdija, there was simply no answer for Antetokounmpo. His ability to carry his team, almost as a one-man army (with only Sloukas also hitting double digits for Greece), underscored his MVP-caliber presence. For Greece, the path to the quarters was less about teamwork and more about leaning on the shoulders of a true titan of the game.

Greece 84 – Israel 79