The 2025 FIBA EuroBasket tournament is about to reach its climax, as we’re into the knockout phase. After five grueling group stage matchdays, the playing field has been reduced from 24 to 16, and it’s do or die for the remaining teams.
Turkey, Serbia, Latvia, and Portugal secured the Top 4 spots in Group A. FIBA World Cup champions Germany, Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden are qualified from Group B. Greece, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia will represent Group C. France, Poland, Slovenia, and Israel hail from Group D.
There will be a new champion this year, as Spain failed to advance to the Round of 16, as their first-day loss against Georgia, with whom they have the same record at 2-3, ultimately cost them. La Roja fans are not happy with this, considering their rich history in this tournament.
With Spain out of the way, the battle for the Nikolai Semashko trophy is wide open, according to the SBOTOP FIBA EuroBasket 2025 odds.
Doncic continues to carry Slovenia
Slovenia are unsurprisingly through to the Round of 16, following their 3-2 record in Group D. After dropping their first two games against Poland and France, Slovenia went on a three-game winning streak against Belgium, Iceland, and Israel.
Luka Doncic continues to weave his magic. The Lakers guard has been an all-around stats monster, leading the competition in efficiency per game (35.4), points per game (32.4), and steals per game (3.2). Leading the tournament in steals is a pleasant surprise, considering his defencive inconsistencies in the past.
Doncic’s best outing in this tournament so far was against Israel, where he flirted with a triple-double, notching 37 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists on 12-for-21 shooting from the field. He went toe-to-toe against Blazers swingman Deni Avdija, who had 34 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals on 12-for-22 shooting from the field, and succeeded.
Slovenia cannot solely rely on Doncic if they are to make a deep tournament run, starting against Italy in the Round of 16. So, we’re looking at the likes of Alen Omic, Edo Muric, and Klemen Prepelic to support Doncic. Regardless of the tournament’s outcome, Lakers fans are happy with what they see from their star, who looks noticeably fitter this offseason.
Germany flex their World Cup credentials
Germany advanced to the final round after going undefeated in Group B, winning their matches against Montenegro, Sweden, Lithuania, Great Britain, and Finland. And the reigning World Cup champions did it with style, as they created many FIBA EuroBasket 2025 highlights en route to averaging 105.8 points per game. According to FIBA, only the Soviet Union in 1985 scored more in that phase of a EuroBasket tournament (107.4).
Interim head coach Alan Ibrahimagic has done a superb job holding it down for Germany, and he will turn the team over back to Alex Mumbru, who missed the entire group stage due to illness. This should give the team a massive morale boost ahead of their Round of 16 matchup against Portugal.
Franz Wagner emerged as Germany’s go-to guy in this competition. The Magic forward averages 21.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals on 55.4-per cent shooting from the field. Right behind him on the leaderboard is Kings guard Dennis Schroder, who averages 21.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists on 53.5-per cent shooting from the field. They’ve also been receiving enough support from Daniel Theis, Andreas Obst, Tristan Da Silva, and Isaac Bonga.
Serbia suffer huge injury blow
Serbia secured their Round of 16 berth after finishing second in Group A behind Turkey, who handed them their only loss in the group stage (95-90) during the final matchday en route to a 4-1 slate.
They have a winnable game against Finland, led by Jazz star Lauri Markkanen. However, they’ll have to continue to do it without one of their most important players, as Bogdan Bogdanovic had already finished his EuroBasket campaign due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the second game against Portugal.
Nikola Jokic will be tasked with carrying Serbia once again. The three-time NBA MVP averages 20.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals on 65.5-per cent shooting from the field. Serbia will also need a breakout run from Nikola Jovic, who averages 11.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 62.5-per cent shooting from the field.
Serbia came close to winning their first EuroBasket in 2017, when they lost to Slovenia in the gold medal game. Eight years later, they have the chance to get the elusive silverware.
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