EuroBasket 2025: underdog Poland Eyes Semifinal berth as Quarterfinals Tip Off
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The EuroBasket 2025 tournament is heating up, with the quarterfinal matchups set to deliver intense international basketball action. Eight teams-Türkiye, Germany, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Georgia, Slovenia, adn Greece-have battled their way thru the field and are now vying for a coveted spot in the semifinals [1].
As the tournament shifts entirely to Riga, Latvia, for the final rounds, one team is emerging as a potential cinderella story: Poland. After navigating a challenging path, the Polish national team finds itself on the cusp of a semifinal appearance. Can they pull off the upset? Their journey is reminiscent of the 2004 greek national team that shocked the world by winning the EuroBasket title, defying expectations and showcasing the unpredictable nature of international basketball.
EuroBasket 2025 Quarterfinal Schedule
Here’s a look at the quarterfinal matchups, all times local (Riga, Latvia):
Tuesday, September 9
- 5:00 PM: Türkiye vs. Poland
- 9:00 PM: Lithuania vs. Greece
Wednesday, September 10
- 5:00 PM: Finland vs. Georgia
- 9:00 PM: Germany vs. Slovenia
Turkey’s Rise in FIBA Power Rankings
While Poland’s journey is compelling, the rise of the turkish national team is another major storyline. After an undefeated run in their group, which included a notable victory over Serbia (featuring NBA star Nikola Jokic), Turkey has surged in the FIBA power rankings. Initially ranked sixth, they now sit second, trailing only Germany [2]. This jump mirrors the ascent of teams like the Toronto Raptors after acquiring Kawhi Leonard – a single impactful performance can dramatically shift perceptions.
However, some analysts question whether Turkey’s undefeated record is a true reflection of their strength, arguing that their group was relatively weak. The real test for Turkey will come in the quarterfinals against Poland, a team hungry to prove themselves
, says ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla.
Hosts and Tournament Format
The group stages of EuroBasket 2025 were hosted across four countries: Latvia, Poland, Finland, and Cyprus [1]. now, all remaining games will be contested in Riga, providing a centralized location for the final push towards the championship. This format echoes the NCAA’s March Madness, where regional rounds culminate in a single location for the Final Four, intensifying the pressure and excitement.
Turkey’s path to the quarterfinals saw them face Latvia, Czechia, Portugal, Estonia, and Serbia in the group stage. Their dominant performance, including a narrow five-point victory over Jokic and Serbia, has solidified their status as a contender.
NBA Stars in the Spotlight
EuroBasket 2025 features several NBA stars, including Luka Dončić (Slovenia) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) [3]. However, the focus is also on the teams that have built cohesive units, demonstrating that international basketball success often relies more on teamwork and strategy than individual brilliance. The early exit of France,despite boasting several NBA players,underscores this point.
As the quarterfinals get underway, the stakes are high, and the dream of becoming European champion is within reach. Will the favorites maintain their dominance, or will an underdog like Poland continue to defy the odds? Tune in to Archysports.com for the latest updates, scores, and analysis from EuroBasket 2025.
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In the assessment of Turkey on FIBA’s site, cedi Osman and Shane Larkin’s play were emphasized and said:
“We warned you about this team. We said that you should not underestimate them because they got three wins in the preparation matches, but to be honest, we put them in the sixth place in the previous riance of power.
It was really enjoyable to watch Alperen Şengün so far. Şengün, Shane Larkin and Cedi Osman ‘Big Triple’ He produces almost 50 points per game and plays with a hit rate of 58 percent. ”
The prominent statistics: the best three -pointer team
Türkiye played 91.8 points in group matches. The nationalities are fourth after Germany (105.8),Slovenia (93.8) and France (92.2).
At the end of Türkiye’s five -game group matches, the most prominent statistics are external shots. 12 giant men who performed under a mediocre performance behind the three -point line in the preparation matches leading 49.2 percent at this point of the tournament. Türkiye is followed by Greece with 45.6 percent.
Nationalists also share the leadership with 13.8 in the assists per game with Serbia.
One of the stars of the tournament: Alperen Şengün
Alperen Şengün, who was selected as All-Star with the Houston Rockets jersey in the NBA last season and gained play-off experience for the first time in the fourth season, showed that he was a candidate for the leading role of the tournament sence the first match against Latvia.
Şengün was rested by Koç Ergin Ataman in the matches where the difference was opened. At the end of the first four games,he had average 20 points,8.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists with 27.2 minutes.
The leader of the group will be certain in the last match against Serbia for 36 minutes wearing the uniform Sengun, 28 points and 13 rebounds, eight assists, as well as playing with the last minutes of the last minutes. Türkiye left the match 95-90 victory.
Şengün is the sixth top scorer of the tournament with an average of 21.6 points at the end of five matches. Ribunda per game is the fourth with 9.6 and the third most assists with 6.8 average.
