Greece Triumphs Over Italy in EuroBasket 2025 Opener

Greece commenced its EuroBasket 2025 campaign with a decisive 75-66 victory against Italy at the Spyros Kyprianou Arena in Limassol, Cyprus. The match marked the return of Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who played his first official game after recovering from Achilles surgery. He contributed six points, including a crucial three-pointer, while his brother, Giannis Antetokounmpo, led the team with 31 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo's performance was pivotal, as he dominated the court and showcased his scoring ability, particularly in the first quarter where Greece established a 22-12 lead. Despite Italy's attempts to close the gap, including a strong second quarter, Greece maintained control, aided by a robust defensive effort that limited Italy to 36% shooting overall and 26% from beyond the arc. Italy's Nicolo Melli was the standout for his team, scoring 15 points, but the Greek defense proved too formidable.

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece past Italy in opener

Head coach Vassilis Spanoulis praised the team's defensive performance but noted areas for improvement in offensive execution. He emphasized the need for patience and better transition play. Italian head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco acknowledged his team's competitive spirit despite their shooting struggles, reiterating the importance of offensive execution moving forward.

Gianmarco Pozzecco praises Thanasis Antetokounmpo after Greece’s win

While Greece celebrated their victory, Italian players expressed disappointment over their shooting performance. Danilo Gallinari highlighted the need for sustained intensity throughout the game, indicating that lapses in energy contributed to their defeat. Pozzecco's earlier comments about needing a "sniper" to stop Giannis were met with humor but underscored the reality of facing a player of his caliber.

Gianmarco Pozzecco praises Thanasis Antetokounmpo after Greece’s win

Greece will face host nation Cyprus in their next match, aiming to build on their strong start. Italy, on the other hand, must regroup quickly as they prepare to take on Georgia, who recently upset defending champions Spain. Both teams are aware that every game in the round-robin format is crucial for advancing in the tournament.

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece past Italy in opener

• “I missed this a lot. I am grateful. This is why I give it my all. You won’t be playing forever, and I don’t know another way. This is the way I play,” — Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Greece Forward

Thanasis Antetokounmpo relishes international action: “You won’t be playing forever”

• “We need to have a little more patience in our offense and more easy points on fast breaks.” — Vassilis Spanoulis, Greece Head Coach

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece past Italy in opener

• “We played solid. I am happy with the behavior of my players. They were really focused on the game. We prepared something – yesterday of course I was joking with the sniper – and they really did on the court what we wanted to do. We needed to play a little bit better offensively. We didn’t shoot well. But we were competitive tonight.” — Gianmarco Pozzecco, Italy Head Coach

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece past Italy in opener

• “To win any game, our DNA is to bring the same intensity and energy for 40 minutes.” — Danilo Gallinari, Italy Forward

Gianmarco Pozzecco praises Thanasis Antetokounmpo after Greece’s win

Greece's victory not only sets a positive tone for their EuroBasket journey but also highlights the significance of teamwork and resilience in high-stakes international competition.

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece’s EuroBasket charge with dreams of continental glory and a play for basketball supremacy