The much-anticipated EuroBasket 2025 has officially tipped off, and if the opening day is any indication, we`re in for a thrilling ride. While many teams are still finding their rhythm, two pre-tournament favorites wasted no time in asserting their dominance, serving notice to the competition with commanding victories that left little room for doubt.
Favorites Flex Their Muscles: Germany and Serbia Set the Tone
Germany, widely considered a strong contender for the title, showcased an offensive masterclass against Montenegro. They secured a resounding 106-76 victory, a scoreline that, for the mathematically inclined, suggests a significant disparity in execution. Led by the dynamic duo of Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner, who collectively poured in 43 points, the German squad dismantled their opponents with clinical efficiency. Their third-quarter surge, fueled by excellent perimeter shooting – notably a near-perfect 5/6 from beyond the arc by Andreas Obst – left Montenegro chasing shadows and confirmed Germany`s readiness to challenge for gold. One might even suggest they were merely warming up.
Nikola Jokic, seen here earlier in EuroBasket 2025, dominated the boards and the stat sheet.
Meanwhile, in Group A, Serbia, powered by the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, delivered an equally emphatic statement, dispatching Estonia with a decisive 98-64 win. Jokic, ever the statistical marvel, flirted with a triple-double (11 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) with characteristic ease, orchestrating his team`s offense as if it were a casual Sunday stroll. The game was effectively decided by halftime, a testament to Serbia`s formidable strength and a clear signal that Coach Pesic`s squad is a force to be reckoned with. Any team hoping to lift the trophy will undoubtedly have to go through them, presumably after experiencing a whirlwind of Jokic`s no-look passes.
Group A: Surprises and Strong Starts
Riga hosted some intriguing contests, beginning with a relatively low-scoring affair between the Czech Republic and Portugal. It was Portugal who emerged victorious with a 62-50 scoreline, demonstrating control despite not dazzling offensively. The standout performance came from Neemias Queta, whose sheer physical presence dominated the paint, contributing 23 points on an impressive 73% shooting and grabbing 18 rebounds. A star in the making, or simply a man among boys?
The host nation, Latvia, under the guidance of coach Banchi, faced a tough challenge against Turkey and ultimately succumbed to a 73-93 defeat. Turkey`s sharp shooting from the perimeter and dominant play under the basket, spearheaded by Cedi Osman (20 points at 60% shooting) and Alperen Sengun (16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists), proved too much for the Latvians, who struggled to contain their opponents` hot hand in the second half. A harsh welcome to home-court advantage for Latvia.
Group B: Close Calls and Defensive Clinics
Over in Tampere, Lithuania kicked off their campaign with a comprehensive 94-70 victory over Great Britain. Jonas Valanciunas led the charge with 18 points and 9 rebounds, but it was Lithuania`s suffocating defense that truly made the difference. They limited the British to a meager 33% from the field and asserted complete control on the boards with a 57-31 rebounding advantage. A defensive clinic, indeed, leaving opponents to wonder if they even brought their shooting shoes.
The only contest of the day that truly went down to the wire saw Finland narrowly edge out Sweden 93-90. The game was a personal duel between Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen for Finland and Sweden`s Hakanson, both of whom scored 28 points. Despite Hakanson`s heroics, Sweden ultimately missed a crucial game-tying three-pointer in the dying seconds, allowing the Finns to snatch a hard-fought victory on home soil. A true testament to the unpredictable nature of tournament basketball, and perhaps a gentle reminder that every possession counts.
What`s Next? Italy Awaits Its Turn
As the dust settles on an electrifying opening day, all eyes now turn to Italy, who are set to make their EuroBasket debut against Greece later tonight. With the favorites already showing their teeth and several intriguing storylines emerging, the stage is set for an unforgettable tournament filled with high-stakes drama, individual brilliance, and potential upsets. Basketball fans across Europe have every reason to be excited – and perhaps a little apprehensive if their team isn`t named Germany or Serbia.
Adrian Whitmore