Preview: Sengun vs Giannis headlines Semi-Final blockbuster

RIGA (Latvia) – The action at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 is nearing its climax and the stakes are higher and higher. Teams are now playing with everything on the line as Greece and Türkiye are entering the battle for the Final.

It’s a huge game between two European basketball powerhouses, something you’d expect at this stage. So without further ado, let’s see what we have coming our way:

Buckle up for a battle of the ages. Both teams are living the dream of a generation with both Türkiye and Greece aiming for the Final after two decades – Greece made it and won it in 2005, whereas Türkiye’s only appearance in the title game dates back to 2001. Too long a drought if we’re talking about these two nations who are dominating the club European basketball in the last decade.

However, teams built around Alperen Sengun on one side and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the other seem to be ready to break these curses. Türkiye broke off the brave Poland in the Quarter-Finals, whereas Greece beat Lithuania and their passionate fans in the packed arena in Riga. Now, they’re going head-to-head in the toughest matchup for each team yet.

How did they get here?

Sengun’s triple-double sends Türkiye to second-ever Semi-Final

Giannis, Greece overcome Lithuania for first Semi-Final in 16 years

Türkiye are still unbeaten as Greece have one tick in the loss column but someone will suffer a heartbreak here. Will it be Sengun or Giannis who are clashing in the paint, Ergin Ataman or Vassilis Spanoulis in the battle on the sidelines?

Tune in and find out because you just can’t miss this one.

What are they saying?

“I have great feelings for all the Greek people, for Greek basketball. For sure, as a basketball roster, Greece is maybe the best team right now. And as a coach, I would say that nobody wants to play against Greece in Semi-Finals. It’s my destiny to play them, there will be seven Panathinaikos players on the court.” – Ergin Ataman, Türkiye

“We have a plan for Türkiye, we will be ready. I am not dreaming. I know what the players can do, and I know how hard they have worked from day one. This is reality – we have an excellent team” – Vassilis Spanoulis, Greece

Did you know?

• Greece have won their last five EuroBasket games against Türkiye, but the most recent encounter happened back in 2013.

• Türkiye will play in the EuroBasket Semi-Finals for only the second time and the first time abroad as they were the hosts in 2001.

• Alperen Sengun tallied 151 points, 76 rebounds and 50 assists at the event and became one of only two players with 150+ points, 50+ rebounds and 50+ assists at a single event in the last 30 years, next to Luka Doncic.

_{All information has been provided by Opta.}

What else to read

Unbeaten Türkiye not stopping: “We can go all the way”

Beyond the statsheet: Kostas Antetokounmpo making big impact

FIBA