RIGA (Latvia) - For the second time in FIBA EuroBasket history, Germany have climbed the highest step of the podium.
The reigning FIBA Basketball World Cup winners defeated Türkiye 88-83 in the Final in Riga on Sunday, repeating the result from 1993, when they won the EuroBasket event at home.
Türkiye finished second, equaling their best EuroBasket result, set in Istanbul in 2001.
Turning Point
In an incredibly close Final, the fans witnessed 15 lead changes and the score was tied 11 times, with neither team able to escape towards a calm finish.
With Germany down by one in the final minute, Dennis Schroder took over, getting the lefty layup for the lead, and hitting the midrange jumper to make it +3 for Germany with 20 seconds to play.
When Alperen Sengun's contested three-pointer bounced off the rim, Schroder was there to pick up the rebound and ice the game from the free throw line.
TCL Player of the Game
Isaac Bonga has been the unsung hero of this generation for Germany, usually praised for his defensive effort, but in this Final, it was all about his offense.
The 25-year-old went off for 20 points on the day, saving the day for Germany in the fourth quarter with two big three-pointers, a one-handed dunk and that crucial offensive rebound with 30 seconds on the clock.
It was his highest scoring game of the event. Perfect timing.
"Amazing game. That's why we call him Swiss army knife, he can do everything. He was the MVP of the game, deservedly, that's what he is," coach Alan Ibrahimagic praised Isaac.
Stats Don't Lie
Germany won the second chance points 14-7, including the crucial ones after Bonga's rebound.
Bottom Line
Germany have done it again, connecting the two titles, as they add the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 trophy to their collection, right next to the one they lifted at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Nine players were on both of those teams, with Germany joining the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and Spain as the only nations to hold both crowns at the same time.
Having finished third in 2022, this is the first time in their history that the Germans have won back-to-back EuroBasket medals.
Türkiye, meanwhile, suffered another defeat in the Final, taking their all-time record in championship games to 0-3. They had previously finished second in EuroBasket 2001 and World Cup 2010, but this is the first time it happened outside of their homeland.
Alperen Sengun finished up his campaign with 28 points in a losing effort.
They Said
"We were trailing for 24 minutes, every time we came back, Türkiye had an answer. But this is the quality of this team. This team is unbelievably talented, but we were never panicking or being nervous. We knew in crunch time we had our captain, Andi, Bonga, Daniel hit his own shot, that's the quality of these people." - Germany head coach Alan Ibrahimagic
"We never shy away from the big moments. It's not just Franz, it's not just me, it's the whole team." - Dennis Schroder, Germany
"To be a World Cup winner and European champ, it's big time." - Schroder, again
"First off, shoutout to Alan. Alex (Mumbru) is the head coach, but what Alan did taking over, coaching us, it was incredible." - Schroder praising coach Ibrahimagic, who took over through Alex Mumbru's health issues; Ibrahimagic himself remained humble, saying he's just proud to be a part of this staff
"They played a hell of a game, with a lot of energy. Sengun in the post hurt us a little bit. In these games, luck is involved, just momentum plays are part of it, and we made one more play today." - Franz Wagner, Germany
For more quotes, tune in to the official post-game press conference!
FIBA