One of the defining stories of EuroBasket 2025 was Georgia’s shocking upset over France in the Round of 16, a victory that propelled them into the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. The Georgians triumphed 80–70, knocking out one of the pre-tournament favorites.
France, despite their depth and NBA talent, struggled from start to finish. The team shot a dismal 17% from three (6-for-36), and their star players failed to deliver in clutch moments. Victor Wembanyama, making his EuroBasket debut, had 14 points and 10 rebounds but lacked efficiency, while Evan Fournier and Nando De Colo combined for just 11 points.
Georgia, on the other hand, played with composure and belief. Veteran Giorgi Shermadini was excellent inside, contributing 18 points and 8 rebounds, while Tornike Shengelia orchestrated the offense with 16 points and 7 assists. But it was the collective defense that stole the show — Georgia held France to just 11 points in the decisive fourth quarter.
The upset sent shockwaves across European basketball, not only because of France’s elimination, but also because of Georgia’s rise. This was the culmination of years of investment in player development and coaching. “We believed we could do it,” said Shengelia after the game. “We’re not here just to participate; we’re here to compete.”
Though Georgia fell to Germany in the quarterfinals, their Round of 16 win will be remembered as one of EuroBasket’s greatest surprises. For French basketball, the early exit raises uncomfortable questions about cohesion, coaching decisions, and how best to utilize their young stars moving forward.
