(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Germany Crowned FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Champions After Thrilling Final Against Türkiye
RIGA (Latvia): Germany have once again written basketball history, winning the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 championship after edging out Türkiye 88-83 in one of the closest finals in tournament history.
The victory marks Germany’s second-ever EuroBasket title, their first coming back in 1993 on home soil. With this triumph, the reigning FIBA Basketball World Cup champions now hold both major international crowns at the same time, joining the elite company of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Spain.
A Final for the Ages
The showdown was filled with drama — 15 lead changes and 11 tied scores kept fans on the edge of their seats. Neither team managed to pull away, setting up a nail-biting finish.
In the final minute, with Germany trailing, captain Dennis Schroder stepped up with a clutch layup and mid-range jumper, giving his side a three-point lead. When Türkiye’s Alperen Sengun missed a contested three-pointer, Schroder sealed the win from the free-throw line.
Player of the Game – Isaac Bonga
While Schroder delivered in crunch time, the spotlight belonged to Isaac Bonga, who produced his best performance of the tournament. Known primarily for his defense, the 25-year-old exploded offensively with 20 points, including two huge three-pointers, a powerful dunk, and a decisive offensive rebound in the closing seconds.
“He’s our Swiss army knife,” coach Alan Ibrahimagic said. “Today he was the MVP of the game, no doubt.”
Key Stats
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Second chance points: Germany 14 – 7 Türkiye
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Bonga’s crucial rebound and points proved decisive in the final stretch.
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Sengun was outstanding despite the loss, finishing with 28 points for Türkiye.
What It Means
Germany have now achieved a rare World Cup-EuroBasket double, solidifying their status as one of basketball’s current powerhouses. It is also their first time winning back-to-back EuroBasket medals, having finished third in 2022.
Türkiye, meanwhile, matched their best-ever EuroBasket finish (2001) but remain without a championship title, with their record in finals now at 0-3.
Reactions
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Coach Alan Ibrahimagic: “Every time we came back, Türkiye answered. But this team never panics. We trusted each other in crunch time, and it paid off.”
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Dennis Schroder: “To be both a World Cup winner and European champion – that’s big time.”
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Franz Wagner: “Türkiye played with great energy. In games like this, momentum and luck matter. Today, we made one more play.”
✅ Bottom Line: Germany are the new FIBA EuroBasket 2025 champions, proving once again that they are among the world’s best basketball teams, while Türkiye walk away with pride after an unforgettable campaign.
