RIGA (Latvia) - There was relief, joy and even pandemonium for Greece after the national team ended its 16-year medal drought by beating Finland in the Third-Place Game at FIBA EuroBasket 2025.
Some say they ended a curse.
The Greeks had scaled the heights two decades before with a march to the EuroBasket title in Belgrade. They stunned the USA at the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Japan and finished third at EuroBasket 2009, yet since had not reached the podium.
It was symbolic that Theo Papaloukas and Dimitris Diamantidis, leaders in the championship-winning 2005 team, sat courtside at the Arena Riga on September 14 and cheered as Greece held off a late charge by the Susijengi to capture the bronze.
Their wild celebrations was an indicator of how starved the national team program was for success.
Most important of all at the EuroBasket was the presence of Giannis Antetokoumpo, the tournament's second leading scorer at 27.3 points per game and All-Star Five selection.
Every time I play for the national team, I fall in love with basketball again because I understand what it is and why I do this thing.
The podium finish is something that he continues to think about.
"We had an amazing summer," Antetokoumpo said to eurohoops.net. "In the power rankings, they had us eighth or ninth and sometimes outside the top 10. We managed to be third in Europe, something we hadn’t done in 16 years.
“I am very happy, not only for me, but for all of Greece."
Reaching the podium is perhaps an indicator that even more success will follow.
IF EVERYONE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THEIR COUNTRY IN SOMETHING, THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND THE EUPHORIA THAT I FEEL RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS NOT OVER.
"This medal will boost our confidence," Antetokounmpo said, "because a few years ago, in 2022, Germany was third in Europe and then in 2023, they won the World Cup, in 2024 they finished fourth (Olympic Games) and in 2025 first (EuroBasket).
"Before that, they had one medal (EuroBasket 2005 silver) from Dirk’s (Nowitzki) years."
The next opportunity for Greece will be the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar in two years.
"I'm excited for the upcoming tournaments in 2027, 2028 and 2029 (ed. EuroBasket with a group in Greece)."
Antetokounmpo is still in the clouds.
"I don’t think people understand how it feels to represent your country," he said. "If everyone had the opportunity to represent their country in something, they would understand the euphoria that I feel right now, which is not over.
"When you go out and walk down the street and see how happy people are for what we’ve accomplished, then you appreciate it even more. There were millions of people who stopped what they were doing, didn’t go to work to watch the games, which is amazing. I hope we do it again for them."
For Hellas to reach the podium at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, the awesome talent of two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo will be required.
"We have more to go than to bronze," Antetokounmpo said in a long interview with sport.gr. "Certainly it is very difficult. Teams are improving a lot. Serbia, France … and in 2027 you’ll have Canada, USA, South Sudan, Australia; countries which are very dangerous and will be very good.
"We ourselves must improve. We must train, have kids having good seasons and be ready in two years from now to come help the team.”
Greece will play in the European Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, starting with a game at home against Romania on November 27 and another at Portugal on November 30.
FOR ME, WINNING AN MVP MIGHT BE IMPORTANT, BUT WINNING SOMETHING WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM IS MORE IMPORTANT.
The national team strengthens Antetokounmpo's love for basketball.
In a long interview with Sport24.gr, he said: "I find joy in what I do again, from 2022 onwards. And now, I’m in the best phase of my life, not only in mindset but also in my body ...
"I love basketball a lot, and changing the environment sometimes helps you fall in love with basketball again.
"Remember 2022? I’d posted with the national team that I had found the love for the sport again. This year it was the same and with the Olympics the same.
"Every time I play for the national team, I fall in love with basketball again because I understand what it is and why I do this thing.
"When I go out on the street or when my family goes out on the street, I feel the love. They pass by my house and shout, 'Giannara, you made us proud, bravo' and all that, 'give our regards to your mother for the way she raised you.'
"For sure, with what we won, a weight came off me, because in my career I always wanted to achieve something with the national team and it was something I was missing.
"You saw it too, the people saw how I reacted at the end; you could say I made a three-peat like with the Chicago Bulls. For many people, my reaction was excessive. Not for people here in Greece, but for people in America, they can’t understand it."
The American fans that follow Antetokounmpo see him first as a Milwaukee Buck, a team he has led for more than a decade.
"For me, winning an MVP might be important, but winning something with the national team is more important," he said. "Sorry, but it is.."
And representing his country will remain a priority.
"I said one thing: If I am healthy and I can — I will always be available for the national team," he said.
"The one summer I didn’t come I had surgery on my right knee, and in 2017 when I couldn’t come, I tried to come. I tried. Okay, it doesn’t matter what 10% or 5% or 1% of the people think.
"I've played nine tournaments with the national team; I'd like to play 15–20 tournaments. And I did what I wanted to do: win a medal for the national team."
Not only was Antetokounmpo the EuroBasket's second leading scorer.
His 68.5 percent field goal percentage ranked No. 1, his 10.6 rebounds per game was tied for second and his overall efficiency was third at 30.3 EFFPG.
He was also tied for first with four double-doubles (points and rebounds).
FIBA