Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to compete with Greece at EuroBasket 2025.
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Are you a little starved for watching some NBA players compete in something other than summer pro-ams or secret pickup workouts? Are you obsessed with European basketball players, including three of the best players we’ve ever seen in Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić? Do you need something to do from the end of August through the middle of September?
Well, welcome to EuroBasket 2025! The tournament featuring 24 of the best European men’s basketball squads starts Wednesday and runs through Sept. 14. These games will happen in Cyprus, Finland, Poland and Latvia, with the gold-medal game set for Riga, Latvia. You may be wondering who is playing, when they’re playing and how you can watch it, and you can find a lot of that information here. You can stream the games on the Courtside 1891 service (you have to pay for it), or maybe you can find other ways to watch on the internet.
Before the games begin, let’s dive into what you need to know for EuroBasket 2025.
What’s at stake?
Good old-fashioned national pride! This tournament doesn’t really have anything to do with Olympic qualifying. The 24 teams that made it to EuroBasket have automatically qualified for FIBA World Cup qualifying in 2027. That World Cup will help determine some of the teams that will compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Mostly, this is about proving which European nation is the best at basketball.
What’s the format?
We have four groups of six teams, and each team will play five games in group play. The top four teams of each group will move on to the Round of 16, which is the start of the elimination games.
Lose in the Round of 16, and you’re out of the tournament.
Lose in the quarterfinals, and you’ll have a chance to play one more game to determine which teams finish fifth through eighth.
Lose in the semifinals, and you’ll have a chance to play for the bronze medal.
Make it to the finals, and you’ll either win the gold medal or end up with silver.
You’re probably wondering which countries are in which groups. I’m so glad you were wondering because we’ve got a group-by-group breakdown below.
Group A
You’re watching this group to see the best player in the world. The group itself is pretty tough, with four of the top 30 teams in the world and four of the top 15 teams in Europe. Serbia is the cream of the crop, but it’ll be interesting to see if NBA stars like Kristaps Porziņģis or Alperen Şengün can lead their countries to a deep run.
Serbia
FIBA rank: Second
Current NBA players: Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets), Bogdan Bogdanović (LA Clippers), Nikola Jović (Miami Heat), Nikola Topić (OKC Thunder), Tristan Vukčević (Washington Wizards)
Former NBA players: Marko Gudurić (2019-2020, 44 games), Vanja Marinković (2019 No. 60 pick), Vasilije Micić (2023-25, 101 games), Nikola Milutinov (2015 No. 26 pick), Filip Petrušev (2023-24, three games).
Recent EuroBasket results: Fourth place (lost to France) in 2015, silver medal (lost to Slovenia) in 2017, lost to Italy in Round of 16 in 2022
What to expect: Winning the gold. They have 10 players who either made the NBA, are currently in the NBA, or were draft picks at some point. They have the best player in the world. There is so much top talent on this squad that there really isn’t a reason to expect anything less than a gold medal.
Latvia
FIBA rank: Ninth
Current NBA players: Kristaps Porziņģis (Atlanta Hawks)
Former NBA players: Dāvis Bertāns (2016-2024, 475 games), Dairis Bertāns (2018-19, 12 games)
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to France in quarterfinals in 2015, lost to Slovenia in quarterfinals in 2017, did not qualify in 2022
What to expect: It’s reasonable to expect this Latvian squad to make it into the top eight, but depending on the matchup, that Round of 16 could be a tough game. As good as Turkey or the Czech Republic might look, Latvia should place second in this group. This will likely depend on how well their guard play can set up Porziņģis and Davis Bertans.
Czech Republic
FIBA rank: 19th
Current NBA players: Vit Krejčí (Atlanta Hawks)
Former NBA players: None.
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to Serbia in quarterfinals in 2015, eliminated in group play (1-4 record) in 2017, lost to Greece in Round of 16 in 2022
What to expect: Missing Tomas Satoranský (back) leaves Krejčí as the only NBA veteran for Czechia in this tournament. I don’t know if that’s enough firepower. We need to see if they can have enough quality size for certain matchups. The Round of 16 is a must, and anything beyond that would be a massive success.
Turkey
FIBA rank: 27th
Current NBA players: Alperen Şengün (Houston Rockets), Adem Bona (Philadelphia 76ers)
Former NBA players: Ömer Yurtseven (2021-2024, 113 games), Onuralp Bitim (2023-24, 23 games), Furkan Korkmaz (2017-2024, 328 games), Shane Larkin (2013-2018, 256 games), Cedi Osman (2017-2024, 476 games)
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to France in Round of 16 in 2015, lost to Spain in Round of 16 in 2017, lost to France in Round of 16 in 2022
What to expect: It’s unfair to put Şengün in the role of becoming the new Luis Scola in FIBA play, but let’s see him have a dominant run for Turkey. He has the game, strength and know-how to be a superstar in FIBA competitions. Turkey has a lot of talent but needs quality guard play, even with Şengün as a good playmaker. This team should be expecting quarterfinals or better.
Estonia
FIBA rank: 43rd
Current NBA players: None.
Former NBA players: None.
Recent EuroBasket results: Eliminated in group play (1-4) in 2015, did not qualify in 2017, eliminated in group play (1-4) in 2022
What to expect: Estonia might put up a fight, but the team has gone just 2-8 in its last three EuroBasket tournaments. Winning a game in group play would still be a good effort. It would be shocking for Estonia to get out of group play.
Portugal
FIBA rank: 56th
Current NBA players: Neemias Queta (Boston Celtics)
Former NBA players: None.
Recent EuroBasket results: Did not qualify in 2015, did not qualify in 2017, did not qualify in 2022
What to expect: Queta is a high-quality NBA role player, so he might have a positive impact. But Portugal hasn’t been in this competition in the previous three EuroBaskets. Winning a game in group play would be huge.
Group B
This group is a little tougher and a little more competitive than Group A. Germany is on a good run with its last EuroBasket, then winning the FIBA World Cup in 2023 and nearly medaling in the 2024 Olympics. This group has four of the top-20 teams in the world and four of the top-13 teams in Europe. However, the final two teams in this group are not serious contenders. One of them will win a game because they face the other bad team.
Germany
FIBA rank: Third
Current NBA players: Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Dennis Schröder (Sacramento Kings), Tristan da Silva (Orlando Magic)
Former NBA players: Daniel Theis (2017-2025, 411 games), Isaac Bonga (2018-2022, 143 games)
Recent EuroBasket results: Eliminated in group play (1-4) in 2015, lost to Spain in quarterfinals in 2017, won bronze medal in 2022
What to expect: This program has become a powerhouse in international play, so anything short of a medal will probably be a failure. Wagner and Schröder alone should be able to dominate in creating offense. This team has great size, great skill and a deep roster. Germany should find itself in the final four of this tournament.
Lithuania
FIBA rank: 10th
Current NBA players: Jonas Valančiūnas (Denver Nuggets)
Former NBA players: Deividas Sirvydis (2020-2022, 23 games), Rokas Jokubaitis (2o21 No. 34 pick), Azuolas Tubelis (2023, two-way contract with Philadelphia)
Recent EuroBasket results: Silver medal (lost to Spain) in 2015, lost to Greece in Round of 16 in 2017, lost to Spain in Round of 16 in 2022
What to expect: This isn’t your older brother’s Lithuanian team that was looking like one of the biggest problems in international play. But this Lithuanian team is still very dangerous, despite not having the guard play it once had. Valančiūnas is still a monster at the international level, and the team has some solid wing options. Lithuania could very easily get to the quarterfinals or later.
Montenegro
FIBA rank: 16th
Current NBA players: Nikola Vučević (Chicago Bulls)
Former NBA players: Marko Simonović (2021-2023, 16 games)
Recent EuroBasket results: Did not qualify in 2015, lost to Latvia in Round of 16 in 2017, lost to Germany in Round of 16 in 2022
What to expect: Let’s see if Vučević and Simonović can be enough to take the Montenegro team far. They’ll need to hammer the boards and stretch the floor, but this team could very well make it past the Round of 16.
Finland
FIBA rank: 20th
Current NBA players: Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
Former NBA players: None.
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to Serbia in Round of 16 in 2015, lost to Italy in Round of 16 in 2017, lost to Spain in quarterfinals in 2022
What to expect: Let’s see what Markkanen can do. We talked about Şengün earlier as having the potential to dominate similarly to Luis Scola. Well, Markkanen is probably the better candidate for that. He’s been on a heater in these friendly games, and we know he can light up just about anybody. He doesn’t have a lot of help to get him deeper than the Round of 16, but getting out of the group should be a lock.
Great Britain
FIBA rank: 48th
Current NBA players: None.
Former NBA players: Tarik Phillip (2019-20, waived by Washington).
Recent EuroBasket results: Did not qualify in 2015, eliminated in group play (0-5) in 2017, eliminated in group play (0-5) in 2022
What to expect: Great Britain hasn’t won a game in EuroBasket since 2013. If it can get one in this group, that’ll be a massive achievement.
Sweden
FIBA rank: 49th
Current NBA players: Pelle Larsson (Miami Heat)
Former NBA players: None.
Recent EuroBasket results: Did not qualify in 2015, did not qualify in 2017, did not qualify in 2022
What to expect: Larsson is a legitimate NBA role player, but I’m not sure if that will be enough for Sweden to win even one game. The matchup with Great Britain will determine that. Sweden also last won a game in 2013.
Group C
This is a very intriguing group because Spain used to be a basketball power until its last two generations of top world talent got too old to keep the run going. Still, Spain is dangerous. Greece does not have a good team but has one of the best players in the world. Italy has some good talent, and Georgia has put together a really nice program.
Spain
FIBA rank: Fifth
Current NBA players: Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies)
Former NBA players: Juancho Hernangomez (2016-2023, 339 games), Willy Hernangomez (2016-2023, 344 games)
Recent EuroBasket results: Won gold medal in 2015, bronze medal in 2017, won gold medal in 2022
What to expect: This isn’t the golden age of Spanish basketball by any means. The Gasols aren’t playing. Ricky Rubio, Rudy Fernandez, and Sergio Rodriguez are gone. But there’s still some good talent, led by Aldama and the Hernangomez brothers. Spain has medaled in EuroBasket every year since 2007 and won gold in four of the last six EuroBaskets. Spain is expecting to medal, but finishing in the top four could be tough.
Greece
FIBA rank: 13th
Current NBA players: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Former NBA players: Thanasis Antetokounmpo (2015-2024, 198 games), Kostas Antetokounmpo (2018-2021, 22 games), Tyler Dorsey (2017-2023, 107 games), Kostas Papanikolaou (2014-2016, 69 games)
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to Spain in quarterfinals in 2015, lost to Russia in quarterfinals in 2017, lost to Germany in quarterfinals in 2022
What to expect: This is simply about where Giannis can carry the team. This isn’t a good roster, and at a certain point, opponents will load up completely on the Greek Freak and dare his teammates to beat them. Giannis should be able to lead Greece to around the quarterfinals, but he’ll have to be a superhero to get the team any deeper.
Italy
FIBA rank: 14th
Current NBA players: Simone Fontecchio (Miami Heat), Saliou Niang (2025 No. 58 pick)
Former NBA players: Danilo Gallinari (2008-2024, 777 games), Nicolo Melli (2019-2021, 105 games), Matteo Spagnolo (2022 No. 50 pick), Gabriele Procida (2022 No. 36 pick)
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to Lithuania in quarterfinals in 2015, lost to Serbia in quarterfinals in 2017, lost to France in quarterfinals in 2022
What to expect: I’m not sure what Gallinari has left in the tank at 37 years old, but this Italian team could have quite a bit of offensive pop at its disposal. Italy has enough NBA-level talent to be a problem for a team like Greece or Spain. It wouldn’t shock me if Italy won this group, but again, that’s probably dependent on Gallinari’s Trevi-esque fountain of youth.
Georgia
FIBA rank: 24th
Current NBA players: Goga Bitadze (Orlando Magic), Sandro Mamukelashvili (Toronto Raptors)
Former NBA players: Tornike Shengelia (2012-2014, 45 games)
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to Lithuania in Round of 16 in 2015, eliminated in group play (2-3) in 2017, eliminated in group play (1-4) in 2022
What to expect: This Georgian national team is good, with three bona fide NBA-level players. Bitadze and Mamukelashvili are going to be tough matchups for a lot of this group. Georgia will need Shengelia to have a good tournament, but getting through group play should be the expectation. It wouldn’t shock me if Georgia pulled off a Round of 16 “upset.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina
FIBA rank: 41st
Current NBA players: Jusuf Nurkić (Utah Jazz)
Former NBA players: None.
Recent EuroBasket results: Eliminated in group play (1-4) in 2015, did not qualify in 2017, eliminated in group play (2-3) in 2022
What to expect: Recently, the coach of this squad said Nurkić is out of shape. It lowered expectations a bit. Bosnia and Herzegovina hasn’t made it out of group play since 1993, so I wouldn’t expect a change.
Cyprus
FIBA Rank: 84th
Current NBA players: None.
Former NBA players: None.
Recent EuroBasket results: Did not qualify in 2015, did not qualify in 2017, did not qualify in 2022
What to expect: Cyprus is automatically in the tournament as a host country after not qualifying for the previous three. Even coming close to winning a game would be huge.
Group D
France is arguably the second-best basketball country on the planet, but Slovenia has one of the best players we’ve ever seen. The rest of this group isn’t very good, but Poland had a good run back in 2022. We’ll see if Israel or Belgium can survive group play, but this is mostly a two-country grouping.
France
FIBA Rank: Fourth
Current NBA players: Bilal Coulibaly (Washington Wizards), Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks), Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards), Guerschon Yabusele (New York Knicks)
Former NBA players: Isaïa Cordinier (2016 No. 44 pick), Jaylen Hoard (2019-2022, 39 games), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (2016-2022, 328 games), Theo Maledon (2020-2024, 177 games), Elie Okobo (2018-2020, 108 games)
Recent EuroBasket results: Won bronze medal in 2015, lost to Germany in Round of 16 in 2017, won silver medal (lost to Spain) in 2022
What to expect: You’re not getting the heavy hitters like Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert or Evan Fournier, but there’s still a ton of NBA talent on this roster. France is relying on the young guys (Coulibaly, Risacher, Sarr, etc.) to make the big push. They have some good French veterans like Luwawu-Cabarrot, Ntilikina and Yabusele to help guide them. But this French squad should still make it to the medal round.
Slovenia
FIBA Rank: 11th
Current NBA players: Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
Former NBA players: None.
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to Latvia in Round of 16 in 2015, won gold medal in 2017, lost to Poland in quarterfinals in 2022
What to expect: Slovenia shocked everybody by winning this whole thing in 2017 with Goran Dragić starring and an 18-year-old Dončić playing the role of helping the star. Now Dončić is the main star and unquestioned top guy. What kind of impact can he make in trying to get Slovenia back to the medal rounds? That’s the goal and expectation for Dončić and his squad. Anything short of the quarterfinals is a disappointment.
Poland
FIBA Rank: 17th
Current NBA players: None.
Former NBA players: Jordan Loyd (2018-2019, 12 games)
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to Spain in Round of 16 in 2015, eliminated in group play (1-4) in 2017, lost to France in semifinals in 2022
What to expect: Jeremy Sochan was supposed to lead this team, but a calf injury will keep him out of the tournament. Without him, Poland’s expectations fall significantly. The team can still be competitive and get out of the group. However, a Round of 16 loss should be the peak.
Israel
FIBA Rank: 39th
Current NBA players: Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers).
Former NBA players: Yam Madar (2020 No. 47 pick)
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to Italy in Round of 16 in 2015, eliminated in group play (1-4) in 2017, eliminated in group play (2-3) in 2022
What to expect: Nets rookie Ben Saraf will not participate, as originally expected. But Avdija is good enough to have a big tournament and lead Israel out of group play, especially with the bottom portion of this group’s talent level. There’s some good talent on this roster, but it’ll be dependent on how dominant Avdija can be. A Round of 16 loss would be expected.
Belgium
FIBA Rank: 40th
Current NBA players: None.
Former NBA players: None.
Recent EuroBasket results: Lost to Greece in Round of 16 in 2015, eliminated in group play (1-4) in 2017, lost to Slovenia in Round of 16 in 2022
What to expect: If Belgium had Toumani Camara playing for it, I’d believe it could get out of the group play like we saw a few years ago. I just don’t have a ton of confidence in this team’s talent to definitely break through.
Iceland
FIBA Rank: 50th
Current NBA players: None.
Former NBA players: None.
Recent EuroBasket results: Eliminated in group play (0-5) in 2015, eliminated in group play (0-5) in 2017, did not qualify in 2022
What to expect: Iceland has never won a game in EuroBasket. I do not expect that to change.
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Zach Harper is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering the NBA. Zach joined The Athletic after covering the NBA for ESPN.com, CBS Sports and FRS Sports since 2009. He also hosts radio for SiriusXM NBA and SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio. Follow Zach on Twitter @talkhoops