Turkey in the Final with a 94-68 Win over Greece
A nightmare night for Greece at EuroBasket 2025.
Vasilis Spanoulis’ team reached the semifinals for the first time in 16 years but suffered a heavy 94-68 defeat against Turkey in the second semifinal in Riga. Greece will now face Finland on Sunday at 17:00 for the bronze medal game.
Turkey, led by Ergin Ataman, will play the final at 21:00 against reigning world champion Germany.
Ataman’s complex defensive schemes successfully contained Giannis Antetokounmpo, who managed just 12 points and 12 rebounds in 30 minutes. Greece’s top scorer was Kostas Sloukas with 15 points. On the Turkish side, Osmanli had a career game with 28 points, including 6/8 from three, while Sengun contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds. Osman, who had missed two days of practice, still scored 17 points.
The Game:
Turkey quickly built a lead, with Oskan opening the scoring at 0-7 (2’) and Osmanli dominating offensively. Two early threes from Dorsey gave Greece brief relief (6-12, 4’40’’), with Giannis cutting the gap further (8-12, 4’50’’) and Papapnikolaou adding a fast-break basket (10-15, 8’). Greece, however, struggled defensively and committed turnovers, allowing Turkey to extend the lead to +12 (10-22, 8’) and Osman to push it to double digits (12-24).
Kostas Antetokounmpo and Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, supported by Samontourov, briefly reduced the gap (20-26, 11’50’’), but errors piled up (10 by 14’) and Turkey surged to +21 (24-45, 17’30’’) via Korkmaz. Turkey opened the second half with a 4-0 run to make it 31-53 (21′), and Osmanli’s scoring pushed the lead to +26 (38-64).
Sloukas tried to keep Greece in the game (42-66 at 26′, 49-72 at 29’20”) with 10 points in the third quarter, and Samontourov made a free throw (51-72, 29’40”), but Greece remained non-threatening. Giannis’ return brought a quick “stop” and a “and-one” basket (53-72, 31′), yet the outcome never changed. Turkey secured their spot in the final with the 94-68 victory.
Referees: Caliò (Canada), Zurapovic (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Vazquez (Puerto Rico)
Quarter Scores: 16-26, 31-49, 51-72, 68-94
Greece (Spanoulis): Dorsey 9 (3), Larentzakis 3 (1), Toliopoulos, Sloukas 15 (3), Kalaitzakis 11 (1), Papapnikolaou 2, Katsivelis, Samontourov 3, Giannis Antetokounmpo 12 (12 rebounds), Kostas Antetokounmpo 6, Thanasis Antetokounmpo 4, Mitoglou 3
End of game Turkey wins Greece 94 – 68. Turkey will face Germany in the final on Sunday at 21:00, while Greece will play Finland at 17:00 for the bronze medal.
With just 2:22 remaining on the clock, the game is winding down.
Giannis throws down a powerful dunk to make it 59-79, while Larkin finally scores for Turkey at 57-79. Mitoglou cuts the gap to 20 points at 57-77 after a nice defensive play, but it’s already too late. Osman scores again at 55-77, with Mitoglou grabbing a clean steal from Sengün. Sloukas adds to Greece’s tally, reaching 15 points, bringing the score to 55-75.
Ataman is challenging for a flagrant foul by Sloukas on Sengün.
At the end of the 3rd quarter, Turkey leads Greece 72-51. Samontourov added 2 points from the free-throw line, keeping Greece in the game. The gap continues to challenge the Greek team as they head into the final quarter.
A technical foul is called on Papapnikolaou.
Turkey extends its lead as Larkin drains a three-pointer, pushing the score to 38-62 over Greece.
Greece struggles continue as Turkey pulls further ahead. Giannis scored to make it 36-59, but Osman quickly answered. Osmanî slammed his way to 20 points with a dunk (34-57), while Sengün added another basket (34-55). Sloukas hit his second three-pointer (34-53), but the gap keeps widening.
Opposite them, Osmaní leads with 18 points and impressive shooting percentages, while Osman has 9 and Korkmaz 7.
Sloukas has only 3 points and Papapnikolaou 2.
Ataman’s combination defenses have effectively contained Giannis, who has 4 points in 16:55 of play.
Greece is struggling on both ends of the court, showing weaknesses in defense and offense.
At halftime, Turkey dominated 49-31. Sloukas hit a three-pointer for Greece, but Cokmaz responded with a two-pointer for Turkey, keeping them firmly in control.
Osman scored but missed the free throw, while Dorsey nailed a three-pointer to keep Greece in the game. Mitoglou added 1 of 2 free throws, but Turkey maintained a commanding lead at 47-28.
Turkey keeps Giannis to just 4 points early in the half. Osman scores a three-pointer to make it 24-43, while Korkmaz adds a basket plus foul. Giannis responds with a basket, but Osman counters immediately. Kalaitzakis hits 2 free throws, and Sengun dunks after Turkey’s fifth steal, extending their control.
20-29: Hazer slams it home, prompting a timeout from Spanoulis.
20-27: Sengün hits 1 of 2 free throws for his first points, while Osman delivers an incredible performance early in the second quarter.
Giannis sits on the bench with 7:31 remaining in the first half, while Toliopoulos picks up his second foul.
Kalaitzakis hits a three-pointer, cutting Turkey’s lead to 26-20.
The second quarter begins with Greece trailing 26-17 after Samontourov adds a free throw. Giannis is still at just 2 points, while Sengun has yet to score, keeping the matchup wide open.
End of the first quarter: Turkey leads Greece 26-16, taking control early with sharp shooting.
Kostas Antetokounmpo and Kalaitzakis scored to give Greece a boost, but Osman responded again to extend Turkey’s lead to 24-12.
Turkey continues its hot shooting with Osman hitting his fourth three-pointer for a 22-10 lead, before Kostas Antetokounmpo cut it to 22-12.
Early on, Dorsey leads Greece with 6 points, while Giannis and Papapetrou have added 2 each.
Greece made changes as Sloukas and Mitoglou went out, with Toliopoulos and Kostas Antetokounmpo stepping in. Papapetrou trimmed the gap, Hazir scored for Turkey, but Kostas made an immediate impact with a big block on Sengun.
Turkey kept the momentum as Osman struck twice from deep, pushing the lead to 15-8. Dorsey answered with back-to-back threes and Giannis ignited Greece with a powerful dunk, but Osman’s hot hand remained the difference early in the first quarter.
Turkey raced ahead to a 7-0 lead with Osman scoring again, while Giannis drew an offensive foul. Mitoglou missed from deep, but Dorsey responded with a three-pointer to put Greece on the board. Papapetrou’s defense helped settle the team as they looked to close the early gap.
The EuroBasket semifinal between Greece and Turkey tipped off in Riga with high intensity. Turkey struck first with a basket from Hazer and quickly extended their lead to 5-0 thanks to a three-pointer from Osmanlı. Both sides traded early misses, but the energy in the arena set the stage for a fierce battle.
Turkey’s starting five: Larkin, Hazer, Osman, Osmanlı, and Sengun.
Greece’s starting five: Sloukas, Dorsey, Papanikolaou, Mitoglou, and Giannis.
Greece is being introduced now in Riga.
Spanoulis got a haircut ahead of the game.
At the same time, Turkey’s presentation is taking place.
Several members of Greece’s 2005 gold-winning team are also in Riga. Spanoulis, Zisis, and Dikkoudis are part of the 2025 squad, while Papaloukas, Diamantidis, and Tsartsaris traveled with the team.
All eyes are on who will guard Giannis and who will mark Sengun.
The arena erupted as Greece entered.
The arena was vibing as Greece made their entrance!
Several members of Greece’s 2005 gold-winning team are also in Riga. Spanoulis, Zisis, and Dikkoudis are part of the 2025 squad, while Papaloukas, Diamantidis, and Tsartsaris traveled with the team.
All eyes are on who will guard Giannis and who will mark Sengun.
The arena erupted as Greece entered.
The arena was vibing as Greece made their entrance!
Osman will be playing.
He was the first to hit the court for warm-ups, and all signs point to him starting in the lineup.
“This is our moment.”
Greece took the court for warm-ups, and in the tunnel, Giannis gathered his teammates and said: “This is our moment.”
Turkey has only one EuroBasket final appearance, in 2021 on home soil, which they lost to Serbia.
Greece has won 2 gold medals in EuroBasket, the first being in 1987.
Turkish media report that Cedi Osman will be in the 12-man roster and is expected to start.
Turkey’s offense is blazing, yet defensive lapses remain. Fans are excited for a potential Giannis-Sengün showdown, though direct matchups between the stars are unlikely. The atmosphere in Riga is electric.
Greece relies on Giannis to spark fast breaks and quick transitions, contrasting with Turkey’s disciplined 5-on-5 approach.
The challenge is massive for both sides. Greece is chasing its first EuroBasket medal since 2009, when it took bronze in Poland, while Turkey last reached the podium in 2001 with a silver at home. Turkey enters the game undefeated at 7-0, including a group-stage win over Serbia, whereas Greece, despite a loss to Bosnia, has impressed in the knockout rounds to reach the semifinals.
Veteran coach Vassilis Spanoulis, in his first EuroBasket as head coach, seeks to reach the final and capture gold, echoing his triumph as a player in Belgrade 2005. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece, averaging 29.8 points and 9 rebounds across five games, highlighted by 37 points against Israel in the round of 16. Turkey relies on Rockets star Alperen Sengün, who has scored 151 points in the tournament, including a triple-double against Poland (19 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists).
Greece fields seasoned players Kostas Sloukas and Kostas Papanikolaou in their final tournament, while Turkey pairs Sengün with the explosive Larkin and Osman, who is recovering from injury but expected to play. On the sidelines, Spanoulis and Turkey’s Ergin Ataman have sparred over refereeing decisions involving Giannis.
Historically, Greece has dominated their head-to-head with Turkey in 68 men’s matches, holding 45 wins to Turkey’s 23, including five straight EuroBasket victories since 2013. The coaches’ intimate knowledge of players adds extra intrigue, with Ataman coaching several Greek team members at Panathinaikos and familiar with Giannis’ brother, Kostas.
Tonight’s semifinal promises intensity, strategy, and high drama as two basketball powerhouses battle for a shot at the EuroBasket final.
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