Katowice’s Group D has delivered contrast. France showcased depth and late‑game answers in a 103–95 win over Slovenia, with Sylvain Francisco starring down the stretch. Slovenia countered with a vintage Luka Dončić performance that nearly stole it; the offensive baseline is clearly elite when spacing and drives align. Belgium’s comeback over Iceland illustrated the group’s volatility, where a few empty possessions can flip outcomes.
France’s defensive wings and length allow them to vary pick‑and‑roll coverages without ceding the paint. Slovenia’s task is to translate brilliant stretches into 40‑minute control, limiting turnovers that gift runouts. Belgium’s half‑court resilience and willingness to attack the rim late are attributes that travel well in tournament play.
As seeding comes into view, expect margin‑hunting: two‑for‑one management, sideline out‑of‑bounds creativity and matchup‑driven substitution patterns to squeeze extra points at the edges.
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.
