RIGA (Latvia) - Crunch time has arrived: Europe will crown a new champion on Sunday after Germany and Türkiye booked their places in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 title game in Riga.
Both finalists enter the title decider unbeaten at 8-0, with Germany chasing a second EuroBasket crown and Türkiye aiming for their first.
Since the current EuroBasket format was introduced, only one team has lifted the trophy with a perfect record – Slovenia in 2017. The only other unbeaten champions this century were Lithuania in 2003 and Yugoslavia in 2001.
As we head into Sunday, let's take a look at Türkiye's and Germany's track records in the title deciders of major international tournaments.
Germany (2-1)
Back in 1993, Germany stunned the rest of the world by winning EuroBasket at home on a clutch dunk by Christian Welp, the Most Valuable Player of that event.
In 2005, it was another giant, Dirk Nowitzki, who paced the nation towards the championship game as the tournament MVP. However, Germany could not upset Greece, finishing second in Belgrade, Serbia.
Finally, in 2023, this generation climbed on top of the world. Led by Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner, Germany defeated Serbia to win the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Manila, Philippines.
Event | Final | Result |
|---|---|---|
FIBA EuroBasket 1993 | Germany - Russia | 71-70 |
FIBA EuroBasket 2005 | Greece - Germany | 78-62 |
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 | Germany - Serbia | 83-77 |
Türkiye (0-2)
2025 will go down in history as the first time that the Turkish team reached the Final outside of its own borders.
In 2001, they made it to the Final of EuroBasket in Istanbul, but Yugoslavia defeated them 78-69 in the title-deciding matchup in front of 12,000 fans at the Abdi Ipekci Arena.
In 2010, it was the same city, but a different arena, as 15,000 fans packed the stands of the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul.
However, Türkiye could not pull off another upset, losing 81-64 to the United States in the Final of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Event | Final | Result |
|---|---|---|
FIBA EuroBasket 2001 | Yugoslavia - Türkiye | 78-69 |
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010 | USA - Türkiye | 81-64 |
FIBA