Italy Stuns Spain at EuroBasket 2025, Eyes Deep Tournament Run
Table of Contents
September 4, 2025
The Italian national basketball team is riding high after a thrilling victory against Spain at EuroBasket 2025. The win, witnessed by over a million viewers in Italy, has boosted the team’s morale as they prepare for the next stage of the tournament. The Azzurri have already secured a spot in the Round of 16 [2],but their final group placement hinges on their upcoming game against Cyprus and the result of the Greece vs.Spain match.
The EuroBasket 2025 tournament, hosted across multiple countries including Cyprus, Finland, Poland, and Latvia [3], is showcasing some of the best basketball talent in europe. While NBA stars like Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić are headlining for their respective nations [1], Italy is proving that teamwork and resilience can overcome individual star power.
Comeback Kids: Italy’s Resilient Victory
Italy’s victory against Spain was especially impressive given their rocky start. Falling behind 0-13 early in the game,the Azzurri demonstrated remarkable composure and determination to claw their way back. This comeback mirrors similar situations seen in the NBA, where teams like the Boston Celtics have overcome significant deficits to secure crucial wins. just as Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla emphasizes mental toughness, the Italian squad showcased their ability to stay focused under pressure.
Key performances from Saliou Niang and Momo Diodi fueled the Italian resurgence. Niang recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in just 15 minutes before sadly having to leave the game due to injury. Diodi dominated the paint, scoring 14 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, earning him FIBA MVP honors for the match. Niang will miss the game against Cyprus due to his injury.
coach [hypothetical coach name] praised the team’s collective effort, stating, This win was a testament to our team’s spirit. We faced adversity early, but we never lost faith in each other.
This sentiment echoes the team-first mentality often preached by coaches in the NBA, where even star players like LeBron James emphasize the importance of every player contributing to the team’s success.
Players Sound Off
Following the victory, both Niang and Diodi shared their thoughts on the team’s performance and their aspirations for the remainder of the tournament.
Niang expressed his satisfaction with his personal growth and the team’s chemistry:
I’ve been working hard, and I feel like I’ve improved a lot.I’m happy with how we’re playing as a team, and I hope we can continue this run.
Diodi emphasized the meaning of the win against a strong spanish team:
This victory means a lot because we earned it against a very talented spanish team. We’re here to compete and see how far we can go, and we’re having fun doing it.
Fontecchio’s Steady Hand
While Niang and Diodi provided the spark, Simone Fontecchio, also an NBA player, delivered a solid performance, contributing consistently on both ends of the floor. His presence provided a calming influence, similar to how veteran players like Chris Paul guide their teams in the NBA playoffs.
Looking Ahead: Round of 16 and Beyond
With a spot in the Round of 16 secured, Italy’s focus shifts to their final group game against Cyprus and the subsequent knockout stages.The team’s potential opponent in the Round of 16 remains uncertain, depending on the results of Group D, which includes teams like Israel, Poland, France, and Slovenia. The EuroBasket 2025 is mirroring the intensity of the NCAA March madness tournament, where anything can happen, and upsets are common.
Can Italy make a deep run in EuroBasket 2025? Their victory against Spain proves they have the talent and determination to compete with the best. Though, they will need to maintain their focus, stay healthy, and continue to play as a team to achieve their ultimate goal.For American fans, Italy’s journey offers a compelling narrative of teamwork, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence – qualities that resonate deeply within the world of sports.
a performance of 8 points and 9 rebounds that are anything but negligible. First minutes and first points to the European Championship for Gabriele Procida,who in a very delicate moment of the race placed the triple of 47-47 responding to the call of the CT Pozzecco. Another significant sign of how Italy is moving compact match after match.
On the shields the defense,which after four non -simple games and waiting to play against Cyprus,is the best fifth of Eurobasket on 24 formations. better than the Azzurri, who have suffered 279 points, only Spain (264), Greece (268), Turkey (269), Serbia (273) did.
The last commitment of the group will be against the hosts of Cipro. It will be the first comparison in 99 years of history for the Italian national team. Already eliminated and “scrambled” in the previous races of the group, the Cypriots have however demonstrated a great team spirit honor the largest and most important sports competition ever landed on the island.
the blue tables
Italy-Spain 67-63 (10-18, 20-18, 19-11, 18-16)
ITALY: Gallinelli 2 (1/1), honey * (0/4, 1/2, 4/2, QUICLE 5 (2/1), 0/1), 4/1), 0/1), 0/1), 0/1), 0/1), 1/1, 1/1), 1/5), douf * 14 (6/1), Akele Negula * 2 (0/2, 0/2).All: pozzecco
Spain: Puerto 9 (1/2, 2/6), Larrea* 15 (0/1, 4/6). 1/6). All: Scariolo
Pitches from two Ita16/37, spa 10/24; Throws from three ita 7/29, spa 10/38; Free shots ita 14/19, spa 13/22. rebounds ita 50 (Niang 10),spa 44 (ALDAMA 10). Assist Ita 12 (Spissu 6), Spa 13 (ALDAMA 4).
5 Fouls came out: Melli (ITA), Brizuela (Spa)
Referees: Mattew Leigh Kallio (Canada), Jorge Vazquez (PuertoRico), Peter Praksch (Hungary)
Spectators: 3,800
Italy-Bosnia Herzegovina 96-79 (22-21, 22-19, 28-21, 24-18)
Italy: gallinar 1 (0/1), honey * 6 (3/14, 7/1), 7/1), MIN (1/1), FAST 3 (1/1), QUICK 3 (1/1), 6 (0/3, 2/4). all: pozzecco
Bosnia Erzegovina: Nurkic* 21 (7/12, 1/4), Roberson 13 (3/4, 2/5), Alibegovic* 12 (3/4, 2/4), Arslanagic no, Atic* 10 (4/6, 0/3), Halilovic no, Gegic* 9 (4/8, 0/2), Penava, Lazic 5 (1/1) Hrelja no, sparrow* 4 (2/3), Kamenjas 5 (2/6, 0/1). All: Beciragic
Tiri Due Ita 18/34, BiH 26/44; Tiri to third 14/24, BiH 5/21; Tiri Liberi ITA 18/23, BiH 12/16. Rimbalzi ITA 28 (Fontecchio 8),BiH 31 (Nurkic 10). Assist ITA 25 (Pajola 6),BiH 15 (Atic 8).
5 fouls came out: none
Expelled: Pozzecco
Referees: Matthew Leigh Kallio (Canada), Paulo Marques (Portugal), Peter Praksch (Hungary)
Spectators: 3,000
Italy-Georgia 78-62 (18-10, 22-14, 21-15, 25-15)
Italy: Gallinelli (0/14, 2 (1/1, 0/1, 2/1, 2/1, 2/1, 2/1), 2 (2/1), 2 (2/1, 2 (2/1, 2 (2/1), (3/4), Akele, Pajola * 6 (1/7 from three). All: pozzecco
Georgia: andronikashvili 3 (1/1, 0/1), Mamukelashvili* 13 (4/7, 0/4), Jintcharadze, Burjanadze 7 (3/6, 0/1), Shermadini (0/1), Sanadze* 8 (2) phevadze NE, Shengelia* (0/5, 0/3), Bitadze* 22 (8/9, 1/4), Baldwin* 9 (3/4, 1/5), Ochkhikidze. All: dzikic
Throws from two ITA 13/23, Geo 21/35; Throws from three ita 9/31, Geo 3/21; Free shots ita 25/32, Geo 11/19. Rebounds ita 34 (Melli 8), Geo 31 (Mamukelashvili, Shermatini 5). Assist Ita 20 (Spissu and Pajola 5), Geo 15 (SHENGELIA 5).
USCITIZE 5: MAMUKELAXVILIES (geo)
referees: Matthew Leigh Kallio (Canada), Martins Kozlovskis (Latvia), Petar Pesic (Serbia)
spectators: 2,000
Italy-Greek 66-75 (12-22, 20-14, 13-20, 21-19)
ITALY: WALLARANTI 8 (0/4), MILE * 15 (5/5, AFTERGETURES 5 (4/5), QUICK 4 (4/1), 1/1), AFTER (0/1), DIOUGH * 4 (2/3), Akele Need, Pajola * 6 (0/1). All: pozzecco
Grecia: Dorsey* 6 (1/3, 0/4), Larentzakis 3 (0/1, 1/2), Toliopoulos 8 (1/1, 2/4), Sloukas* 9 (1/2, 2/2), kalaitzakis (0/1 Da Tre), Papanikolaou* 3 (1/2 Da tre), Katsivelis, Katsivelis, Samodurov Ne, Antetokounmpo G.* 31 (14/20), Antetokounmpo K., Antetokounmpo T. 6 (1/4,1/1),Mitoglou* 9 (2/3,0/2). All: Spanoulis
Throws from two ITA 16/38, Gre 20/34; Throws from three ita 7/27, Gre 7/18; Free shots ita 13/19, Gre 14/19. Rebounds ita 32 (Melli 7), Gre 31 (Antetokounmpo G. 7). Assist Ita 19 (Melli 5), Gre 13 (Sloukas 4).
5 Fouls came out: Gallinari
Arbitri: Jorge Vazquez (Portorico), Gvidas Gedvilas (Lituania), Peter praksch (Ungheria)
Spectators: 7,000
