TAMPERE (Finland) - Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Lithuania, Montenegro, and Sweden will begin their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 odyssey in Tampere, Finland.
The Group B games will take place at the Tampere Deck Arena on August 27, 29, 30, September 1, and 3. The top four teams will qualify for the Final Round in Riga, Latvia.
Schedule
Teams
Germany
The reigning world champions are eager to add the title of EuroBasket champions to their list of achievements, having captured third place in 2022. The squad they will take to Tampere is certainly worthy of lifting the trophy. Led by NBA duo Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner, the Germans boast quality in all aspects. They will be tough to contain.
Lithuania
Having not medalled since 2015, Lithuania will be keen to set that record straight this summer. Despite missing key players, including Domantas Sabonis, they still take an impressive lineup to Tampere, with Denver Nuggets big man Jonas Valanciunas leading the way, having averaged a double-double in the last two editions.
Montenegro
Led by Chicago Bulls veteran Nikola Vucevic, who suits up for his fourth EuroBasket, they will be a tough matchup for any team. Montenegro are known for their resilience and fight, and will look to go a step further than their Round of 16 exits at the last two editions.
Finland
A nation expects after a highly respectable seventh-place finish in 2022. The Group B hosts will feature Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, who averaged a mind-boggling 27.9 points at the last EuroBasket, and is keen to compete for medals this time.
Great Britain
A solid EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers campaign, which included a win over Greece, lifted GB's spirits, but now they must continue that momentum. However, history isn't on their side, having not advanced past the Group Phase since debuting in 2009. Along with the usual suspects, Gabe Olaseni and Myles Hesson, look for some new faces making their mark on the competition.
Sweden
It will be Sweden's first EuroBasket since 2013. Like Great Britain, they head to Tampere with nothing to lose but full of confidence, having secured a win over their Group B opponents, Montenegro, in the Qualifiers. They will be led by influential guard Melwin Pantzar, who averaged 16.2 points and 3.5 assists per game in the Qualifiers - both team-highs, while Pelle Larsson joins up from a season in the NBA.
Star Player
Ever since he exploded onto the international stage in Helsinki at EuroBasket in 2017, Lauri Markkanen's stock has risen, and for the second time in his career, he gets to represent his country at home again.
Markkanen's talent and freakish athleticism bring joy to his teammates and the Finnish fans, but causes his opponents nightmares as the agile big man can either attack the hoop with authority or shoot the ball effortlessly. At the last edition of EuroBasket, the NBA star averaged 23.7 points and 6.9 rebounds a game. Impressive numbers.
And as he enters his third EuroBasket, Markkanen will undoubtedly be the star attraction in Tampere, but can he continue to live up to the hype and lift Finland to new heights this summer?
Poll: Who will qualify for the Final Phase?
History
Country | Last participation | Best finish | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 (7th place) | 6th place (1967) | 18th | |
2022 (3rd place) | Champions (1993) | 26th | |
2022 (24th place) | 13th place (2013) | 6th | |
2022 (15th place) | Champions (2003) | 16th | |
2022 (13th place) | 13th place (2017) | 6th | |
2013 (13th place) | 13th place (2013) | 12th |
FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE
Rank | National Team |
|---|---|
#3 | Germany |
#10 | Lithuania |
#16 | Montenegro |
#20 | Finland |
#48 | Great Britain |
#49 | Sweden |
Tickets
FIBA