FIBA EuroBasket 2025: a continent holds its breath as basketball stars get ready to compete for glory
FIBA EuroBasket 2025 is fast approaching. With teams fine-tuning their teams for the big day, NBA and Europe's finest stars are getting ready to compete for continental glories. Four host cities, one Baltic capital for the finish, and a three-week gauntlet where a misread stunt or a single late closeout can swing a nation’s mood.
From August 27 to September 14, 24 teams spill across Limassol, Tampere, Katowice and Riga—with every knockout staged in Arena Riga. It’s a traveling show that parks the big top where it matters most: one roaring bowl for the final eight days.
With Luka's knee scare over, Slovenia got their confidence back with a friendly win over Great Britain; Luka Magic looked sharp, aggressive, and - crucially - comfortable changing gears again. At the same time, Giannis' debut delivered. Greece finally rolled out The Greek Frek in Athens, and the energy shifted instantly—the length in passing lanes, the downhill pressure, the aura. Greece handled Latvia and looked… different. In a good way.
Preview the battle between Europe's finest basketball talent with the Courtside 1891 team.
The Favourite: Serbia’s offense looking to take it all
On paper and vibe, Serbia still have the cleanest path to “best team in the building.” Nikola Jokić is a playoff series by himself, and the national-team version around him is all timing and trust: slice with Bogdanović, invert to the elbow, cut behind the help.
Opponents will try to crowd the nail and live with corner roulette; Serbia’s shooting and patience punish that.
Germany’s the counter-argument (world champs, top-five defensive floor, late-clock shotmaking), but in tight fourth quarters, the smartest pass usually wins - and Serbia manufacture more of them than anyone.
The Dark-horse: Latvia, with a city at their back
You don’t have to squint. Latvia already proved the system travels - free-flow offense, unselfish tempo, everyone sprints to space. Now add home-court and a healthy Kristaps Porziņģis as a spacer-rim protector toggle.
In Banchi’s hands, that’s a geometry cheat code: keep the ball fizzing and keep the paint closed. If they punch first in Group A, Riga becomes a trampoline.
If Artūrs Žagars can rekindle his FIBA World Cup 2023 spark, nothing is impossible for the co-hosts (who will also host all the knockout games).
Three storylines that will decide medals
Bigs who bend geometry
This tournament may belong to giants who can also pass. Jokić is the obvious fulcrum. Jonas Valančiūnas turns 50-50s into 70-30s on the glass. Nikola Vučević gives Montenegro a reliable inside-out diet. In games that slow, patient post orchestration -kickouts on time, cutters with pace - becomes a whistle generator.
Türkiye can count on Ergin Ataman’s European pedigree and one of the best big men on the international panorama – Alperen Şengün: the Rockets center will look to take the stage as a stacked team looking to dark horse their way to Group A leadership.
Star-driven variance on the wing
Dončić re-entering at (or near) full speed flips Slovenia’s ceiling; he turns 40 minutes into half-court chess. Giannis instantly restored Greece’s transition punch and deterrence at the rim; even without numbers, you feel the tilt in every possession. Their read-and-react choices - when to bully, when to spray - will swing brackets. Franz Wagner will open up the paint for Schroder and Germany to make their mark on European soil after shocking on the world stage in 2023.
France’s search for identity
A twist: France arrive talented, deep, and a little unfinished up front after a run of high-profile absences at center. The upside is developmental reps for the young length (and a sleeker perimeter look). The question is whether the paint - defensive rebounding, verticality - holds when a knockout opponent plays through the elbows for 20 straight minutes.
Save the date – do not miss these Group Games
Open with GB–Lithuania in Tampere on Day 1 (a clean timing test for Lithuania’s half-court game), peek into Latvia–Türkiye for atmosphere, and set alarms for Spain–Greece and France–Slovenia once Groups C and D tip.
Serbia–Türkiye will provide a tasty ender to Group A with the potential to have an impact on Group A final standings. Save the date: September 3, 19:15 BST – or get notifications about this and more important games via the Courtside 1891 app!
Who’s actually lifting it?
If you forced a boardroom pick today, it’s Serbia—the best player, the fewest identity questions, the most answers in the half court. Germany are right there, and Spain will be Spain. But the coolest story? Latvia in Riga: Porziņģis healthy, Banchi flipping tempo switches like a DJ, and a city that might shake the Final Four off its moorings.
How to watch FIBA EuroBasket 2025
As the home of FIBA live streaming, Courtside 1891 will carry every EuroBasket 2025 game live and on-demand. Create your account and get a Max Annual or Event Pass on the Courtside 1891 site and stream FIBA EuroBasket 2025 anywhere with the Courtside 1891 app (App Store & Google Play). Note that local broadcast partners can create blackouts—check restrictions here.
