The EuroBasket 2025 tournament delivered a day of major surprises and superstar performances. Georgia achieved a historic milestone by defeating powerhouse France to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time. Meanwhile, Luka Dončić showcased his incredible talent with a 42-point game to carry Slovenia past Italy, and Poland also secured its spot in the next round.
The day’s action highlighted the unpredictable nature of international basketball. While star players made their mark, upsets proved that teamwork and strategy are just as crucial. For teams like France, a former finalist, it was a tough exit, while for a rising team like Georgia, it was a moment of national pride and celebration.
🇬🇪 Georgia’s Historic Victory Over France
In the biggest surprise of the day, Georgia earned a memorable 80-70 win against France. The Georgian players and fans celebrated wildly after securing their first-ever trip to the EuroBasket quarterfinals. France, the runner-up in 2022, struggled significantly with its shooting, making only 17% of its three-point attempts. Georgia capitalized on France’s mistakes, playing solid defense and converting 20 of 24 free throws. Tornike Shengelia and Kamar Baldwin were outstanding, both scoring 24 points to lead their team to victory.
🇸🇮 Dončić Powers Slovenia Past Italy
Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić put on a spectacular show, scoring 42 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead Slovenia to an 84-77 victory over Italy. Slovenia started strong, building a large lead in the first half with Dončić already scoring 30 points by halftime. Although Italy mounted a spirited comeback in the fourth quarter, closing the gap to just one point, Dončić remained calm under pressure. He sealed the win by sinking crucial free throws in the final minutes, ensuring Slovenia’s place in the quarterfinals against Germany.
🇵🇱 Poland Secures Quarterfinal Spot
Poland also advanced to the next round with a solid 80-72 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Guard Jordan Loyd led the Polish team with 28 points, while Mateusz Ponitka contributed a strong all-around game with 19 points and 11 rebounds. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić played well, finishing with 20 points and seven rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Poland’s balanced attack. Poland will now face Turkey in the quarterfinals.
