Round of 16: Greece 84 – Israel 79
Greece secured a hard-fought 84–79 win over Israel in the Round of 16 in Riga, progressing to the quarterfinals for the fourth straight EuroBasket tournament. The game was defined by the sheer dominance of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who dropped 37 points on 18-of-23 shooting and contributed 10 rebounds. Only teammate Kostas Sloukas also reached double figures with 11 points.
Israel stayed competitive thanks to Deni Avdija’s 22 points, Tomer Ginat’s 15, and contributions from Roman Sorkin. Late in the third quarter, Israel cut Greece’s lead to just two, but Giannis’ return from the bench reignited Greece’s offense and secured the win.
Quarterfinal: Greece 87 – Lithuania 76
In a quarterfinal showdown, Greece dispatched Lithuania with a commanding 87–76 victory — a win that propelled them into the EuroBasket semifinals for the first time since 2009.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his stellar form with 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. His clutch free throws in the final minute sealed the win for Greece.
- Vasileios Toliopoulos added 17 points, and Kostas Sloukas contributed 11 points and 4 assists.
- Lithuania fought back with Jonas Valančiūnas posting a strong 24 points and 15 rebounds, but couldn’t overcome Greece’s fast-break efficiency and defensive intensity.
- This victory sets up a high-stakes semifinal clash with Turkey.
Summary Table
| Stage | Opponent | Final Score | Key Performers | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | Israel | 84–79 | Giannis (37 pts, 10 rebs); Avdija (22) | Greece advances to quarterfinals |
| Quarterfinals | Lithuania | 87–76 | Giannis (29 pts); Toliopoulos (17 pts) | Greece advances to semifinals |
Looking Ahead
- Greece’s Resurgence: These consecutive wins underscore Greece’s return to elite form, propelled by Giannis’ leadership and a cohesive supporting cast.
- High-Stakes Semifinal: Greece will face off against Turkey for a spot in the final, setting the stage for a highly charged showdown.
- Momentum is Key: With defensive discipline and Giannis’ dominance, Greece has the firepower and will to make a deep run—and potentially secure their first EuroBasket medal since 2009.
