Where to Watch Italy vs Slovenia: Game Preview as Luka prepares for Round of 16

• → Game to take place at Arena Riga, Riga on Sunday, 7 September 2025 at 18:30 Local Time (EEST)
• → Form check: Italy (4–1) closed Group C strong, including a 67–63 win over Spain and a 96–79 showcase vs Bosnia; Slovenia (3–2) arrive off a 106–96 win over Israel with Luka Dončić near a triple-double.
• → Context: Star duel with contrasting support systems—Italy’s defensive connectivity and depth against Luka’s usage and late-game magic.

Can Italy’s togetherness outlast Luka time?

Gianmarco Pozzecco’s group feel like Italy: a hundred small advantages created each quarter. They switch and scram without panic, they cut hard, and they string together good possessions even on cold nights. Simone Fontecchio is the obvious headline - he detonated for 39 against Bosnia, an Italian EuroBasket record - but the bigger story is how Italy decides when he touches it. They keep him on the move, toggle him between spacer and focal point, and ride the hot hand only when the defense has already bent. Beyond Fontecchio, Marco Spissu’s shooting keeps the floor wide, and the bigs do the quiet work (screens, seals, defensive positioning) that lets the guards breathe.

They’ll try to limit foul trouble and make this a half-court game where every Slovenian possession feels heavy. Expect Italy to send varied looks at Dončić - show bodies without fully committing doubles - and trust their weak-side rotations to take away rhythm threes.

Slovenia: Luka’s universe and finding enough help

Dončić has been the tournament’s most dominant engine: north of 30 points per game with elite free-throw volume, top-tier usage, and the kind of control that turns late clocks into good shots. He’s carried Slovenia through a wobbly start into three straight wins, including 37–11–9 against Israel, and he’s doing it without the veteran firepower of previous cycles. The support crew, Klemen Prepelič, Gregor Hrovat, and the bigs, must buy him spacing and a handful of easy ones in transition.

Defensively, Slovenia need to keep Italy off balance with ball pressure and deny easy paint touches to avoid scramble rotations. They’ve been at their best when the first pass is contested and the initial action gets pushed out a step.

Tipping points

• Dončić’s whistle: If Luka lives at the line, Italy’s defensive calculus changes. If Italy keep him to 7–8 FTs and stay out of the bonus, their depth matters late.

• Fontecchio’s shot diet: Catch-and-shoots and straight-line drives are Italy’s sweet spot; Slovenia want to turn those into off-the-dribble jumpers. Fontecchio struggle against the stifling Greek defense (4) and Spain (8). Will Slovenia be able to keep it quet?

• Non-star minutes: Which bench unit avoids a negative run? Italy’s stability vs. Slovenia’s streaky shooting is the hidden game.

How to watch Italy vs Slovenia

Stream Italy vs Slovenia live on Courtside 1891 and pick the Max Event Pass for this event window or go Max Annual for year-round access to EuroBasket and other FIBA competitions. Regional availability and blackouts may apply.