Luka Doncic, a familiar face delivering expected brilliance on the court.
As the EuroBasket 2025 group stage intensifies, the basketball world has witnessed a compelling mix of shocking upsets, dominant individual performances, and the sheer joy of qualification. With several nations now officially clinching their spots in the Round of 16, the path to continental glory is becoming clearer, albeit not without its fair share of drama.
Group Stage Shocks: Bosnia Stuns Greece
Perhaps the most significant ripple through the tournament came from Group C, where Bosnia delivered a stunning 80-77 victory over a highly-fancied Greek squad. Greece, under coach Spanoulis, found itself at a disadvantage, missing NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a knee issue, alongside Larentzakis who was out with back problems. It seems even basketball titans need a day off – or perhaps, a properly functioning knee and back.
Bosnia capitalized on these absences with an inspired performance led by Jusuf Nurkic, who put up an impressive 18 points and 10 rebounds. A remarkable 18-0 run in the second quarter completely flipped the script, giving the Bosnians control they would not relinquish. For Greece, even 15 points from Kostas Sloukas couldn`t stem the tide, leaving them with unexpected hurdles to overcome. Meanwhile, in another Group C encounter, Georgia comfortably dispatched Cyprus 91-63, with Goga Bitadze contributing 21 points and Tornike Shengelia leading all scorers with 27, securing their own passage to the next phase.
Star Power Delivers: Doncic, Yabusele, and Avdija Lead the Charge
While upsets captured headlines, the tournament`s marquee players ensured their teams` progress with performances that underscored their reputations.
Slovenia, predictably, secured their spot, largely thanks to the consistent brilliance of Luka Doncic. The Dallas Mavericks phenomenon poured in 26 points, guiding Slovenia to an 87-79 victory over Iceland and effectively eliminating them from the competition. Doncic`s ability to take over games feels almost routine at this point – a dazzling, yet expected, masterclass.
France also stamped its ticket to the knockouts, overcoming Poland 83-76 in a hard-fought battle. Guerschon Yabusele was simply monstrous, exploding for 36 points, single-handedly turning the tide for the French. Despite trailing by as much as 13 points, Poland showed resilience, but the combined 34 points from Loyd and Ponitka simply weren`t enough to contain Yabusele`s onslaught.
Israel, too, celebrated a significant milestone, returning to the Round of 16 after a decade-long absence. Deni Avdija was instrumental, scoring 22 points as Israel edged out Belgium 92-89. Strong contributions also came from Ginat with 13 points, completing a determined effort from the Israeli squad.
The Road Ahead: Final Standings and Knockout Aspirations
With Israel, Poland, Slovenia, and France confirmed as qualifiers from their respective groups, attention now turns to the final group stage fixtures. These upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the final standings and, consequently, the seeding for the highly anticipated Round of 16. Teams will be vying for favorable matchups, hoping to avoid early clashes with other top contenders.
The EuroBasket 2025 has already delivered a captivating narrative, blending the raw emotion of unexpected victories with the polished skill of elite athletes. As the competition moves into its knockout phase, the stakes will only grow higher, promising more unforgettable moments on the quest for European basketball supremacy.
Elton Marrow