Greece’s EuroBasket 2025 Campaign: A Resurgent Force
Greece entered EuroBasket 2025 determined to end a 16-year medal drought. The team last climbed the podium in 2009, though it famously won European titles in 1987 and 2005. With Vassilis Spanoulis at the helm since October 2023—following his success in leading Greece to the 2024 Olympics—expectations were high for a revival.
Warm-Up: Acropolis Tournament Victory
The team fine-tuned its form at the Acropolis International Tournament in Athens (20–22 August), dominating Italy, Latvia, and other strong opponents. Giannis Antetokounmpo was unstoppable, dropping 25 points in just 15 minutes during a 104–86 win over Latvia, signalling Greece’s readiness for the continental stage.
Group C: Dominance and Drama
Drawn into Group C alongside Italy, Cyprus, Georgia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Spain, Greece made a strong start. They defeated Italy 75–66, powered by Giannis’ 31-point performance in Limassol. Against Georgia, they were even more dominant, storming to a 94–53 victory behind Giannis’ 27 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in just 25 minutes.
The momentum briefly faltered with a narrow 80–77 loss to Bosnia, raising doubts about their top-seed prospects. But Greece bounced back emphatically in the final group game.
Closing Strong: Spain Eliminated
In a dramatic clash, Greece edged out Spain 90–86. Giannis nearly completed a triple-double with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists, sealing first place in the group with a 4–1 record. The win eliminated the defending champions and gave Greece a favourable path to the knockout stage.
Key Players & Depth
While Giannis remained the undisputed leader, the team’s success relied on depth and balance. Kostas Sloukas, Kostas Papanikolaou, Dinos Mitoglou, and Tyler Dorsey provided vital scoring and defensive presence. The final roster, confirmed on 24 August, blended veterans with role players, including Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who replaced Neoklis Avdalas shortly before the tournament.
Greece – EuroBasket 2025 Group Stage Results
| Date (2025) | Opponent | Result | Standout Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 August | Italy | W 75–66 | Giannis Antetokounmpo – 31 pts |
| 31 August | Cyprus | W 96–69 | Team effort |
| 31 August | Georgia | W 94–53 | Giannis – 27 pts, 8 reb |
| 2 September | Bosnia & Herzegovina | L 77–80 | Kostas Sloukas – 18 pts |
| 5 September | Spain | W 90–86 | Giannis – 25 pts, 14 reb, 9 ast |
What Comes Next
Greece now faces Israel, the fourth-place finisher from Group D, in the Round of 16 on Monday, 8 September (4:45am AEST) in Riga.
With tournament heavyweights such as Serbia, Germany, and France placed on the opposite side of the bracket, Greece’s road to the latter stages looks comparatively smoother. For Spanoulis’ men, the dream of returning to Europe’s basketball elite is within reach.
