Sweden grabbed a landmark result in Tampere, defeating Great Britain 78–59 to record their first EuroBasket victory since 2013. Pelle Larsson catalyzed the turnaround with a productive third quarter, and Sweden’s defense tightened after halftime to limit dribble‑penetration and clean up the defensive glass. The significance extends beyond two points in the standings: it resets belief and keeps Sweden’s group campaign alive.
Great Britain competed with physicality but couldn’t convert enough perimeter looks to pressure Sweden’s set defense. The Scandinavians used purposeful cuts and lane fills to generate layups and kick‑outs, gradually widening the margin. As the clock wound down, Sweden controlled tempo and avoided the empty possessions that have previously opened doors for opponents in crunch time.
In a field where one win can change the arithmetic of qualification, Sweden’s result arrives at an ideal moment. It also underlines the theme of the opening days: teams with stable rotations and defensive identity have a better chance of banking points early, forcing rivals to chase.
The group phase runs from August 27 to September 4 across Riga (Group A), Tampere (Group B), Limassol (Group C) and Katowice (Group D). The Round of 16 is single-elimination on September 6–7, followed by quarterfinals on September 9–10, semifinals on September 12, and the final on September 14 in Riga. Twenty-four teams play five group games each, with the top four in every group advancing. These dates and the multi-host setup are defined by FIBA for EuroBasket 2025 and shape the tactical choices teams make during the first week.
