Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 37-Point Masterclass Sends Greece to the Quarter-Finals

EuroBasket 2025 – Round of 16 • Riga, Latvia

Greece Outlast Israel 84–79 Giannis Powers Last Ticket to the Quarter-Finals

Greece 84
Israel 79
Greece advance to face Lithuania in the Quarter-Finals

A Battle of Momentum

Depth, Experience, and a Timely Run

The final game of the Round of 16 in Riga saw Greece outlast Israel 84–79 in a thrilling contest, celebrated deep into the night by thousands of Greek fans. Fueled by a vintage Giannis Antetokounmpo performance, Greece claimed the last remaining ticket to the Quarter-Finals to set up a marquee clash with Lithuania.

Although Greece led nearly the entire way, Israel’s relentless fight kept it close—down to two points (60–58) late in the third. That’s when Greece’s veterans steadied the ship: Kostas Sloukas, Alexandros Samodurov, and Kostas Antetokounmpo keyed a 7–1 run to restore control.

Sloukas opened the fourth with a layup to push the margin to double digits—enough cushion for Greece to close it out despite Israel’s late surges.

Greece led for 39 of 40 minutes, trailing only briefly at the start, and never let the game slip even when the momentum swung.

Time in the Lead (Greece)
39:00
Israel led only in the opening seconds
Glass Control
37–29
Rebounds (Greece over Israel)
Clutch Run
7–1
Late 3Q burst from Sloukas • Samodurov • K. Antetokounmpo
Israel Shooting Split
FT 62% • 3PT 40%
Perimeter kept them close; FTs hurt

Game Flow & Turning Points

Fast Greek Start

Greece seize control early; Israel trail after opening seconds.

GR in command

Israel Close the Gap

Relentless response trims it to 60–58 late in Q3.

2-point game

7–1 Stabilizer

Sloukas, Samodurov, K. Antetokounmpo engineer a timely surge.

+6 swing

Fourth-Quarter Cushion

Sloukas’ layup to start Q4 stretches it to double digits.

Safety margin

Giannis Seals It

Efficiency and composure finish the job: 84–79.

Final

Star of the Night: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Player of the Game

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Forward • Greece

37 Points (18/23 FG — one of EB’s most efficient nights)
10 Rebounds
10× 25+ PTS streak (active)
30–10 Joins Jokić • Vučević • Dončić • Porziņģis at EB25

Kostas Sloukas

Clutch
4Q poiseKey bucketsFloor general

Alexandros Samodurov

Impact
Age 20Mature playsCritical minutes

Kostas Antetokounmpo

Energy
DefenseHustleMomentum

Rebounding Edge

Total Rebounds
37 (GRE)
29 (ISR)
Lead Time
Greece led ~39 minutes

Israel’s Relentless Effort

Deni Avdija

22 Points

Stayed Within Striking Distance

Trimmed to 60–58 late in Q3

Shooting Profile

3PT 40% kept hope alive, but FT 62% proved costly

Key Statistics

Time Leading

39:00vs~1:00

Rebounds

37vs29

Giannis Efficiency

18/23 FG10 REB

Quarter-Final Showdown

Greece
VS
Lithuania
Spanoulis’ smaller lineup with Giannis at center now faces a physical Lithuania test

A Historic Run Continues

Greece reach their fourth consecutive Quarter-Final and ninth last-eight in the past ten editions. Coach Vassilis Spanoulis’ decision to go small with Giannis at center neutralized Israel’s defensive looks—man and zone alike.

For Israel, a proud Round of 16 showing ends here; the push to surpass their best EuroBasket finish since 2003 goes on.

Momentum Preserved

Giannis’ 10-game 25+ streak and elite efficiency carry forward

Next: Lithuania

High-intensity clash awaits in the Quarter-Finals