Greece is back on the podium in Eurobasket. Ethniki defeated Finland 92-89 and 16 years after the bronze medal in Poland, climbed back to the third step of the podium. Vasilis Spanoulis' team was ahead in the score from the beginning of the match, limited the offensive weapons of the Finns and achieved the big victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated both ends of the floor with 30 points and 17 rebounds. Tyler Dorsey and Vassilis Toliopoulos were worthy supporters who had 20 and 15 points respectively.
He hit it outside the three-pointer.
The game started nervously for both teams. The defenses dominated until the players of both teams found the solution outside the three-point line. Dorsey on one side and Valtonen and Jatunen on the other provided solutions and scores.
Giannis is a great passer.#EuroBasket
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 14, 2025
From there on, the game had the picture we expected. Giannis Antetokounmpo along with Tyler Dorsey were the ones who led the National Team's scoring, while the blue and white team (Papanikolaou did an excellent job) kept Markkanen down. Somehow, Vasilis Spanoulis' team managed to close the first period with the score at 24-15.
K-Pap is 35 years old and can still JUMP.#EuroBasket
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 14, 2025
At the start of the second quarter, the Finns, with a partial 11-3 lead, were down to a point, but the National Team showed character. With Sloukas and Toliopoulos entering the offensive equation, they quickly managed to bring the difference close to ten points. The two teams went to the locker room with the score at 48-34, with the National Team having 64% behind the 6.75m.
He made it a thriller.
In the third period, the Finns, as was normal, tried to reduce the deficit. With Jatunen and Markkanen doing the damage, Tuovi's team quickly reduced the deficit to six, but the National Team's reaction was what it should have been.
Giannis' family appreciates the hustle. ❤️#EuroBasket | #MakeYourMark
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 14, 2025
With Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating under the baskets and the duo of Dorsey and Toliopoulos shooting from long range, the blue and white team maintained the double-digit lead and entered the final period of the game with the score at 69-56.
The National Team seemed to be in control of the game, having a double-digit lead almost two minutes before the final. However, the end of the match was not suitable for the faint of heart. Finland, with a 5-18 lead, reduced the lead to four with a three-pointer by Enkamua at 54.9″.
Giannis answered with a field goal-foul for 89-83 at 50.4″, Markkanen answered with a three-pointer for 89-86, the National Team wasted possession trying to buy time and at 20.3″ Little made shots for 89-87. Slouka followed with a 1/2 from him for 90-87, before Papanikolaou was fouled on a three-pointer by Valtnonen at 5.7″. The Finn had 2/3, missed the third, Jatunen missed the follow-up and Giannis got the rebound and the shots at 4″. And he made them.
Greece – Finland 92-89
The quarters: 24-15, 48-34, 69-56, 92-89
GREECE (Spanoulis): Dorsey 20 (2/3 two-pointers, 5/9 three-pointers, 1/2 shots), Toliopoulos 15 (4/10 three-pointers), Sloukas 7 (1), Kalaitzakis 5 (1), Papanikolaou 4 (1), Katsivelis, Samontourov, G. Antetokounmpo 30 (9/11 two-pointers, 12/16 shots, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks), K. Antetokounmpo 3, T. Antetokounmpo, Mitoglou 8 (2)
FINLAND (Tuovi): Little 6 (6 assists), Saalin 5 (1), Enkamua 15 (2), Jatunen 13 (3), Valtonen 18 (2 three-pointers, 8/11 shots), Maxuni (0/6 shots), Markkanen 19 (3/8 two-pointers, 3/8 three-pointers, 4/4 shots, 10 rebounds), Murinen 5, Gustavsson, Grandison 8 (2)
