The Greek men’s national basketball team celebrated a triumphant qualification for EuroBasket 2025 with a thrilling 93-89 overtime victory against the Czech Republic, showcasing the spirit and resilience synonymous with Greek basketball. BASKETBALL: Toliopoulos sends Greece to Eurobasket 2025 and under the strategic leadership of coach Vassilis Spanoulis, Greece secured their place in next summer’s European Championship, set to take place across Cyprus (Limassol), Finland (Tampere), Poland (Katowice), and Latvia (Riga) from August 27 to September 14.
The decisive moment came when Vassilis Toliopoulos delivered a stunning three-pointer, tying the game at 77-77 with just 2 seconds left on the clock, sending the match into overtime and epitomising the never-give-up spirit characteristic of Greek athletes.
Despite a challenging second quarter, Greece’s fighting spirit prevailed, led by standout performances from Ioannis Papapetrou, Toliopoulos, Giorgos Papagiannis, and Dimitrios Koutsoukou, whose defensive prowess neutralised Czech star Tomas Satoransky. The team will conclude their qualifiers in Patras against the Netherlands on 24th February, in a match that will also pay tribute to Greece’s 2005 European Championship-winning team, celebrating a legacy of Greek basketball excellence.
Game Highlights: Czech Republic vs Greece
Greece started the game with high energy and determination, establishing a commanding 27-11 lead in the first 8 minutes, thanks to the exceptional plays of Toliopoulos, Papagiannis, Papapetrou, and Miltos Mitoglou. By the end of the first quarter, Greece held a solid 27-13 advantage, shooting an impressive 59% from the field and committing zero turnovers.
However, the Czech Republic fought back in the second quarter, capitalising on Greek turnovers and closing the gap. Petr Pekar’s three-pointer tied the game at 29-29, and the hosts surged ahead by half-time with a 40-37 lead, outscoring Greece 27-10 in the second period.
Greece’s resilience shone through in the third quarter as Papagiannis ended their three-point drought, leading a spirited comeback effort. Clutch shots by Larenzakis, Toliopoulos, and Papapetrou kept Greece in contention as the game reached its dramatic conclusion.
Overtime Drama and Heroics
With just 2 seconds left in regulation, Toliopoulos sank a crucial three-pointer to tie the game at 77-77, sending it into overtime and reigniting Greek fans’ hopes. In the extra period, Toliopoulos continued his heroics, sinking another deep three for an 87-83 lead, and Koutsoukou sealed the victory with decisive free throws, ensuring Greece’s hard-fought 93-89 triumph.
This victory not only secured Greece’s place in EuroBasket 2025 but also reaffirmed its status as a powerhouse in European basketball, driven by unwavering passion, strategic play, and the indomitable Greek spirit.
