Greece advanced to the EuroBasket quarterfinals after a hard-fought 84–79 victory over Israel in Riga, Latvia, despite struggling from the three-point line (4/25). The national team was the last to secure a place among the top eight.
The standout performer was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led Greece with 37 points (18/21 on two-pointers), 10 rebounds, and one assist. Kostas Sloukas added 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Alexandros Samontourov contributed seven points and six rebounds, changing the game’s tempo. Panagiotis Kalaitzakis and captain Kostas Papanikolaou also played key roles, with Papanikolaou once again anchoring the defense.
Israel, seeking to deliver a third upset in the round of 16 after Serbia and Finland were knocked out, could not overcome Antetokounmpo’s dominance.
Upcoming Quarterfinals
- Lithuania vs. Greece – Tuesday, September 9
- Turkey vs. Poland – Tuesday, September 9
- Germany vs. Slovenia – Wednesday, September 10
- Finland vs. Georgia – Wednesday, September 10
Semifinal Bracket
- Winner Lithuania/Greece vs. Winner Turkey/Poland
- Winner Germany/Slovenia vs. Winner Finland/Georgia
Final Stages
- Third-place game: Loser semifinal 1 vs. Loser semifinal 2
- Final: Winner semifinal 1 vs. Winner semifinal 2
Greece will need to overcome Lithuania in the quarterfinals for a chance at the semifinals and a possible run to the title.
