Greek National Team’s big moment!

Just one win away from the EuroBasket 2025 final, the “official favorite” is now ready, CE Report quotes ANA-MPA.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his teammates take their positions for the semifinal tip-off against the undefeated (7-0) Turkey, led by Alperen Şengün, at Arena Riga on Friday night (September 12, 21:00), aiming for a strong performance to secure an even bigger victory and advance to the final match on Sunday (September 14, 21:00). A medal—either silver or gold—is guaranteed, without the need for a “small final” for Greece to hope for a podium finish for the first time since 2009.

This national team has silenced doubters and “haters.” Step by step, starting from Limassol in the group stage, they improved throughout the EuroBasket and, with six wins and one loss, reached the top four teams in Europe.

Greece is there… while outside the top four are the “silver” Olympic champions France, who also took silver in the last EuroBasket, and the pre-tournament favorites Serbia led by Nikola Jokić, who were eliminated as early as the Round of 16. The “blue and white” ousted Lithuania, led by Jonas Valančiūnas, in the quarterfinals, and most recently… knocked Slovenia, led by Luka Dončić, out of the competition.

First, at 17:00 on Friday (September 12), the 2023 World Champion and EuroBasket 2022 bronze medalist Germany, featuring Franz Wagner and Dennis Schröder, faces Finland, making its first-ever semifinal appearance, with power forward Lauri Markkanen and the breakout star of this EuroBasket, the impressive “rookie” Mika Muurinen.

Then, at 21:00 on the same day, Greece and Turkey meet for the 15th time in international competition, with the historical record favoring Greece at 11 wins to 3 losses.

The last Greek loss to Turkey came in Ankara during the group stage of the World Cup, when Turkey won 76-65, and their players stayed on the court for hours singing with their fans. Since then, Greece has won four times: in the first phase of EuroBasket 2013, at the 2021 Pre-Olympic Tournament in Victoria, Canada, and in both games of the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers. Greece also eliminated Turkey in the EuroBasket 2009 quarterfinals en route to a bronze medal.

Vassilis Spanoulis and the Greek players know many members of the Turkish team, including national coach Ergin Ataman, and the Turks who play in Panathinaikos: Cedi Osman (who injured his ankle in the quarterfinal against Poland but will play against Greece) and Ömer Yurtseven, who has averaged only 6.7 minutes so far in the EuroBasket. Shane Larkin has often faced Greek EuroLeague players, while Furkan Korkmaz left Monaco in December 2024 before Vassilis Spanoulis joined the team’s coaching staff. This gives him extra motivation to prove himself against Spanoulis.

At 34, Sertac Sanli plays just 5.2 minutes per game, as Alperen Şengün dominates the frontcourt for Turkey. Turkey relies heavily on the Houston Rockets power forward/center. The guards contribute additional scoring.

Şengün averages 21.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1 steal, and 0.9 blocks per game, shooting 64.1% from two-point range and 76.7% from the free-throw line. The Greek team will aim to send him to the line, as he is prone to fouls, and both Giannis and Kostas Antetokounmpo will try to wear him down inside the paint. Turkey’s second scorer is Cedi Osman, averaging 14.9 points. Larkin has 11 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game, while Anadolu Efes center Erkan Osman contributes 10.4 points and 5.3 rebounds. Korkmaz, Sipahi, and Hazer are ready to punish any opponent giving them space, while Sixers power forward Adem Bona, despite averaging 5.4 points, has a clear assignment to wear down Greek big men.

The Greek team wants to play fast, with Giannis Antetokounmpo charging like a horse and dunking. Turkey will try to slow the pace into set plays. Against such a strong opponent, Spanoulis’ players need an outstanding performance on both defense and offense. Turkey scores 90.7 points per game compared to Greece’s 86.1. Offensive rebounds may be decisive: Turkey averages 12 versus Greece’s 9.7. On defense, Greece has a slight edge, 26.4 versus 25.6. Turkey leads in assists (22.6 vs. 19.3), while Greece averages 8 steals to Turkey’s 7.1.

However, such matches are won not by statistics or tactics but by desire. As the players repeatedly emphasize, the team that wants it more will reach the final. Kostas Sloukas, playing his last games for the national team, 35-year-old captain Kostas Papanikolaou, the three Antetokounmpo brothers, Mitoglou, Toliopoulos, Larentzakis, Dorsey, Samontourov, Kalaitzakis, and Katsivelis… all want it very badly!