EuroBasket 2025: Greece faces Israel for a spot in the quarterfinals

Source: ProtoThema English

The knockout stage has arrived for the Greek national team at EuroBasket 2025. As the top team from Group 3 in Limassol, Greece will face the fourth-placed team from Group 4, Israel, on Sunday, September 7, at 21:45 in Arena Riga, Latvia, in the Round of 16. The Greek team secured four wins in five games in Limassol, while Israel reached Riga with a 3-2 record.

Although Greece has the edge in quality and is considered the favorite, the team must remain focused. In a 40-minute game, anything can happen. Israel boasts an elite roster led by Portland Trail Blazers guard Deni Avdija, who will challenge head coach Vassilis Spanoulis and the Greek squad. Greece will rely on Giannis Antetokounmpo to create space for teammates to shoot, while the rest of the roster, with extensive EuroLeague experience, provides depth even when Giannis is not scoring.

Offensive rebounds remain a potential weak point for Greece. Controlling this aspect will make their path easier against a high-scoring Israeli team capable of intense defensive pressure. Should Greece overcome Israel, they will face the winner of Lithuania vs. Latvia in the quarterfinals.

Greece vs. Israel (21:45)
Greece averages 86.4 points per game in EuroBasket 2025, compared to Israel’s 83.4. Israel leads in total rebounds (37.4 vs. 34.8), especially offensive rebounds (12.8 vs. 9), while Greece holds an advantage in defensive rebounds (25.8 vs. 24.6), assists (21.2 vs. 19.2), and blocks (2.8 vs. 1.4). Israel slightly leads in steals (7.6 vs. 7.2), and turnover averages are similar (Greece 12.4, Israel 12.8).

Key players include Deni Avdija, Israel’s star guard, averaging 24.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, and Maccabi Tel Aviv center Roman Sorkin, averaging 16.8 points and 6 rebounds. Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to manage matchups effectively. Israel captain Tomer Ginat (10.4 points, 7.8 rebounds) and guard Yam Madar (10.2 points, 6.6 assists) are also threats, alongside naturalized guard Kadin Carrington and Hapoel Jerusalem small forward Yoel Zussman.

The Greek team aims to secure its fifth win and advance to the EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinals, with strong chances of success.

Other Round of 16 Matches on Sunday, September 7:

• Poland vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina (12:00): Poland finished second in Group 4 (3-2), while Bosnia & Herzegovina was third in Group 3. Poland relies on naturalized Jordan Loyd (22 ppg) and Mateusz Ponitka (17.8 ppg). Bosnia’s standout is Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić (16.4 ppg, 9 rpg).
• France vs. Georgia (15:15): France, silver medalists at the previous EuroBasket and the Paris Olympics, are favorites. Power forward Gerson Yabusele leads France with 14 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg. Georgia’s top player is Goga Bitadze (18.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg).
• Italy vs. Slovenia (18:30): Italy, second in Group 3 (4-1) and defeated by Greece in the EuroBasket opener, faces Slovenia, third in Group 4 (3-2). Miami Heat forward Simone Fontecchio (15.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg) will face Luka Dončić (32.4 ppg, 8 rpg, 8.4 apg).

EuroBasket 2025 Round of 16 Schedule – Riga, Sunday, September 7:

• 12:00 Poland – Bosnia & Herzegovina
• 15:15 France – Georgia
• 18:30 Italy – Slovenia
• 21:45 Greece – Israel (ERT-1, Novasports Start)

Greece aims to make a deep run and secure a place among Europe’s top eight teams.

The original article: https://en.protothema.gr/2025/09/07/eurobasket-2025-greece-faces-israel-for-a-spot-in-the-quarterfinals/ belongs to ProtoThema English .