- Germany’s control of tempo and the first confirmed ticket to the Round of 16.
- Georgia’s upset of Spain and the ripple effects across Group C.
- Individual brilliance, from Markkanen’s 43 to Dončić’s record‑setting opener and 39 vs. France.
- Serbia’s ceiling with Jokić answering single coverage and punishing help.
- Sweden’s first win since 2013, injecting new energy into Group B.
These threads will define bracket paths, influence coaching adjustments, and color the medal conversation as the event moves toward Riga. The common denominator: depth and discipline travel, and teams that win the possession game are already separating.
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.
