Greece wins!
End of game – Final score Lithuania-Greece 76-87!
Greece Triumphs into Europe’s Final Four with 87-76 Win over Lithuania
The entire arena was against them, with just 200 Greek fans in the stands and a powerhouse team on the court. Yet the men in blue overcame Lithuania 87-76 and will now face Turkey on September 12 for a spot in the EuroBasket 2025 final.
Greece emphatically broke the “cross-match curse” and returned to the medal zone for the first time since 2009. Now the team aims to finish the job, starting by overcoming Alperen Sengun’s Turkey.
Greece Triumphs into Europe’s Final Four with 87-76 Win over Lithuania
The entire arena was against them, with 200 Greek fans in the stands and a stellar team on the court. Yet the guys in blue overcame Lithuania 87-76 and will now face Turkey on Friday (12/9) for a spot in the EuroBasket 2025 final.
Greece exorcised its cross-match curse in emphatic fashion, returning to the medal zone for the first time since 2009. Now they aim to finish the job, starting with overcoming Alperen Sengun’s Turkey.
The Greek team controlled most of the game, playing dominant stretches of basketball. Tolipopoulos put on a sensational performance, Giannis bulldozed through the Lithuanians, and Papapnikolaou continued his outstanding tournament form.
Lithuania-Greece: The Match
Coaches started with Mitoglou guarding Valanciunas and Blazevic on Antetokounmpo. Lithuania came out strong, running a 7-0 streak. Greece went scoreless for almost three minutes before Giannis hit a mid-range jumper. Lithuania kept feeding Valanciunas on every possession, giving Mitoglou a tough defensive matchup.
Greece started nervously, spacing poorly on both ends, making for a rocky opening. Still, they found their rhythm, with Mitoglou and Dorsey hitting triples, and Giannis finishing a spectacular play with a powerful dunk and a foul for an 18-19 lead at the 8-minute mark.
The Greek team quickly erased the deficit with defensive adjustments but committed several unnecessary fouls, closing the first quarter ahead 24-19. The team had just three assists to four turnovers, with Kostas Antetokounmpo providing excellent help defense at the end of the period.
The Greek guards came up big defensively, and offensively the team flowed seamlessly. Tolipopoulos scored nine points with 3/4 triples in under five minutes, and Sloukas added a basket to put Greece up 35-24 at 14 minutes.
The “Blue and White” circulated the ball beautifully, always finding the open man, while defense featured perfect rotations, box-outs, and blocks. Lithuania responded with a 14-4 run to cut it to 39-38, thanks to a Velicka three-pointer. Greece answered immediately after a Spanoulis timeout with a 5-0 run, ending the first half 44-38.
Giannis picked up his third foul early in the third quarter but stayed on the floor, helping Greece extend to 51-41 at 24 minutes from the free-throw line. Greece displayed toughness and confidence on defense, while Papapnikolaou drained a triple to silence the arena at 58-45 in the 27th minute. He struck again later (69-55, 32’), and Greece held the lead until the final buzzer, celebrating a 87-76 victory that sent them to the semifinals against Turkey.
Quarter Scores: 19-24, 38-44, 52-64, 76-87
Greece reaches the semifinal, defeating Lithuania 87-76, and will face Turkey on Friday
With 47 seconds remaining, Greece leads 82-74. Sirvidis hits a three-pointer for Lithuania, while Giannis sinks both of his free throws, keeping the Greek advantage at 82-71. His first free throw had already put Greece up 81-71, maintaining control in the closing moments.
In the final minute, a timeout is called. Velicka makes 2.2 free throws to bring Lithuania closer at 78-70, and a player is subbed out immediately afterward.
With 1:27 remaining, Kalaitzakis commits a foul, prompting Spanoulis to protest as it wasn’t intentional. Dorsey misses a three-pointer, and Kalaitzakis replaces Samontourov in the rotation.
With four minutes remaining, Greece holds a strong lead at 78-68. Velicka hits a three-pointer for Lithuania, while Valančiūnas delivers a powerful dunk to narrow the gap to 78-65. Giannis Antetokounmpo scores again for Greece, keeping their advantage at 78-63.
Amazing assist from Papapnikolaou, Samontourov finishes with a dunk.
As the game heads into the fourth quarter, Greece extends its lead to 69-55 with a three-pointer from Papapnikolaou. Gedraitis responds for Lithuania with a three of his own to make it 66-55, while Giannis sits on the bench. Tolipopoulos adds a two-pointer for Greece, and Tubelis misses a three, keeping the momentum firmly with the Greek side.
The third quarter ends with Greece leading 64-52 after Giannis sinks two free throws. Valančiūnas appears to be in pain in his shoulder and is once again treated with ice. Earlier, Giannis had been fouled, continuing the physical intensity of the game.
Kostas electrifies the crowd with an incredible dunk, pushing Greece ahead 62-51. Valančiūnas scores for Lithuania to make it 60-51 with 54 seconds left, while Tolipopoulos adds 2.2 free throws as Giannis sits on the bench. Meanwhile, Spanoulis argues for a technical foul for unsportsmanlike behavior, adding to the tension on the court.
Greece extends its lead to 58-45 after a three-pointer from Papapnikolaou, putting them up by 13 points. Normantas responds with a nice basket for Lithuania, but Papapnikolaou quickly secures the defensive rebound, keeping Greece in control of the game.
Sloukas commits a foul, giving Sargiūnas two free throws. With 4:50 remaining in the third quarter, Giannis misses both of his free-throw attempts, leaving the score at 51-41 in favor of Greece.
Kostas demanded an explanation from the Lithuanian star after a tough play. Shortly after, Valančiūnas committed a hard foul on Giannis, adding more intensity to the game.
Greece edges ahead in the third quarter, leading Lithuania 48-41. Sloukas opens the scoring with a fast-break basket, while Giannis adds his first basket of the quarter. Valančiūnas keeps Lithuania in contention by sinking both of his free throws, with 7:57 remaining in the period.
Kalaitzakis scored to push Greece ahead 37–27, prompting a timeout. Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the floor after spending five minutes on the bench.
Sloukas extended Greece’s lead with a three-pointer to make it 35–24, but Valanciunas quickly answered for Lithuania, cutting it down to 35–27 after completing a three-point play from the free-throw line.
Kostas Antetokounmpo made his presence felt early in the second quarter, already reaching three blocks. Papapetrou went to the free-throw line and converted both shots to push Greece’s lead to 29–22. Valanciunas then responded for Lithuania, cutting the margin to 29–24.
Giannis did not start the second quarter, as Greece prepared to resume play after a strong finish to the opening period. Following Lithuania’s early 7–0 run, Greece responded.
The game remained tight as Blazevic tied it at 16–16 with two free throws. Lithuania briefly regained the lead with a fast-break dunk from Sargiunas, but Giannis quickly answered back, leveling the score at 18–18 with a powerful dunk while also earning a free throw. At the same time, Kalaitzakis checked in for Papanikolaou, keeping Greece’s rotation fresh.
Greece responded to Lithuania’s strong start with three baskets from Giannis Antetokounmpo and one from Mitoglou. Giannis opened the scoring for Greece to make it 7–2, though he had earlier missed two free throws. Mitoglou then cut the deficit to 7–4, before Sloukas missed a three-pointer. Giannis continued his surge, scoring again to bring the score to 9–6, and soon after, assisted by Sloukas, he struck once more to close the gap to 9–8, forcing Lithuania to call a timeout.
Live Updates from Greece vs Lithuania – EuroBasket 2025 Quarterfinal
- 21:02 – Three-pointer by Radzevicius.
- 21:02 – Giannis blocked on the attack.
- 21:01 – Greece in possession.
- 21:01 – Jump ball, game has started.
Starting Lineups:
- Lithuania: Velicka, Sividis, Radzevicius, Blazevic, Valanciunas
- Greece: Sloukas, Dorsey, Papanikolaou, Mitoglou, Giannis
Pre-Game Notes:
- The Greek National Anthem was played.
- About 1,000 Greek fans are in Riga, with 10,000 Lithuanians present.
- The game is broadcast on ERT1 and Novasports Start.
- Semifinals are scheduled for Friday, with the final and third-place game on Sunday.
- Tomorrow’s quarterfinals: Georgia vs Finland at 17:00, Germany vs Slovenia at 21:00.
Historical Context:
- Greece hasn’t reached a EuroBasket semifinal since 2009, when Vassilis Spanoulis helped the team to a bronze medal in Poland.
- Turkey defeated Poland 91-77 and will face the winner of Greece vs Lithuania in the semifinals.
- Greece beat Israel to reach the quarterfinals; Lithuania defeated Latvia.
- Greece and Lithuania have faced off 27 times in men’s basketball, with Greece winning 16 of those games.
Past Results:
- 09/06/1992 (Piraeus – Friendly) 83-81
- 03/06/1995 (Lyon – Friendly) 80-84
- 22/06/1995 (Athens – EuroBasket) 73-89
- 30/06/1996 (Berlin – Friendly) 77-57
- 16/07/1996 (Chicago – Friendly) 83-85
- 30/07/1996 (Atlanta – Olympics) 66-99
- 29/06/1997 (Girona – EuroBasket) 73-66
- 08/07/1998 (Nicosia – Friendly) 82-68
- 23/06/1999 (Dijon – EuroBasket) 64-82
EuroBasket 2025: Greece vs Lithuania – Quarterfinal Showdown
The stage is set in Riga for one of the most anticipated quarterfinals of EuroBasket 2025, as Greece faces Lithuania at 21:00. The Greek team, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, is aiming to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2009. Lithuania, featuring star center Jonas Valanciunas, promises a tough challenge.
The atmosphere is electric, with about 1,000 Greek fans supporting the team in a stadium dominated by 10,000 Lithuanians. National pride is high as the Greek National Anthem echoed before tip-off.
Historically, Greece and Lithuania have clashed 27 times in men’s basketball, with Greece claiming 16 victories. Previous matchups include notable games at the Olympics and EuroBasket, making this a clash steeped in history.
Turkey has already secured a semifinal spot by defeating Poland 91-77, and will face the winner of this game. The winner in Riga moves one step closer to the final, keeping hopes alive for a medal after more than a decade.
The stage is set for a thrilling EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinal clash as Greece prepares to face Lithuania at 21:00 (Novasports Start, ERT 1). The winner will advance to the semifinals, aiming for a medal for the first time since 2009.
Ask me anything
Explore related questions
