EuroBasket Explained

What You Need to Know About the 2025 European Basketball Championship

It’s that time again: EuroBasket is just around the corner – and we’re hyped. If you’re thinking “What the sports?”, you’ve landed in the right place. Because honestly, unless you’re already deep in the basketball scene, it’s easy to lose track. Who’s even playing? Why does everyone go wild when Dennis Schröder touches the ball? And seriously – what’s a rebound? This guide is your go-to source for everything EuroBasket 2025. No jargon. Just the fun stuff. Let’s go.

What is EuroBasket anyway?

EuroBasket – officially known as the FIBA EuroBasket – is the biggest basketball tournament for men’s national teams in Europe. Held every four years, it brings together the continent’s best squads, packed with NBA stars and EuroLeague legends. The next edition takes place from August 27 to September 14, 2025. The main host is Latvia, but Poland, Cyprus, and Finland are also on board for the group stage. The knockout phase? All in Riga. A total of 24 teams are in. Four from each group will make it to the Round of 16, which tips off on September 6.

How does EuroBasket work?

This is how the tournament is structured

In the group stage, the 24 teams are split into four groups of six. Each group plays in a different country: Poland, Cyprus, Finland, and Latvia. During the group phase, every team plays every other team in its group once – meaning five matches per team.The top four from each group qualify directly for the Round of 16. And the group stage already delivers: This is where tournament favorites can stumble, and underdogs can make serious noise.
Plus, we get to see matchups that rarely happen otherwise – and that means surprise moments are pretty much guaranteed.

The FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Groups

Group A (Latvia) Group B (Finland) Group C (Cyprus) Group D (Poland)
Portugal Germany Cyprus Iceland
Estonia Finland Italy France
Latvia Great Britain Georgia Slovenia
Turkey Lithuania Spain Poland
Serbia Sweden Greece Belgium
Czech Republic Montenegro Bosnia Israel

The knockout stage: Every game matters now

Starting with the Round of 16 on September 6, things get serious.
It’s win or go home from here on out – the classic tournament bracket style:
  • Round of 16
  • Quarterfinals
  • Semifinals
  • Third-place game
  • Final
All of these games will be played in Riga. Here’s what the Round of 16 pairings look like for now:
A1 vs. B4 C1 vs. D4
A2 vs. B3 C2 vs. D3
A3 vs. B2 C3 vs. D2
A4 vs. B1 C4 vs. D1

How often does the Basketball Euro take place?

The European Basketball Championship takes place every four years – just like the Euros in football. So mark your calendar and get your snacks ready.

Who’s qualified – and who are the favorites for 2025?

A total of 24 nations qualified for the tournament. 32 countries – including the four host nations – took part in the qualification rounds. The top contenders for EuroBasket 2025 are:
  • France
  • Serbia
  • And, of course: Germany

Does Germany even stand a chance at EuroBasket?

Oh yes. Big time. Maybe you’ve heard: Germany is the reigning basketball world champion. Yes, really. In 2023, the German team beat the world’s best – including the U.S., who were the heavy favorites. That win shocked many, but for others it was the natural next step of a journey that had been building for years:
Bronze at EuroBasket 2022, Gold at the World Cup, and 4th place at the Olympics.

The team led by Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner and co. is playing the best basketball Germany has seen in decades.

When does Germany play – and where can I watch the games?

Germany’s group stage games will all take place in Finland. Here’s the schedule:
Montenegro vs. Germany August 27
Germany vs. Sweden August 29
Lithuania vs. Germany August 30
Germany vs. Great Britain September 1
Finland vs. Germany September 3
You can watch all EuroBasket 2025 matches live on MagentaSport – via stream or app.

What makes basketball so special?

Basketball is fast. Like, really fast. No endless back-and-forth passes or “let’s see what happens” minutes.
Each team gets just 24 seconds per possession, timeouts are used like snacks at a party, and the entire game can flip in less than a minute. And the atmosphere? Totally different. Music in the arena, emotional commentators, dancers on the sidelines, players pointing at fans and celebrating big plays – it’s more than a sport. It’s a vibe.

How does basketball actually work?

Four quarters, each lasting ten minutes. Two teams, five players on the court. The goal: to throw the ball into the opponent’s basket. A shot from close range is worth two points, while a successful shot from behind the “three-point line” is worth – surprise, surprise – three points. The team with the most points at the end wins. Other things you should know: The ball may not be carried with both hands (except when dribbling), physical contact is limited (fouls!), and if a player commits five personal fouls, they are ejected from the game. You can learn everything else at your own pace—that’s what we’re here for.

The stars you should keep an eye on

In addition to the German team, there are a few players who are sure to make an impression by the time the European Championships roll around. Luka Dončić (Slovenia) is an exceptional talent who plays for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Serbian Nikola Jokić has already been named NBA MVP twice. France also has Victor Wembanyama, a 2.24-meter-tall player who could finally take off in 2025 – his nickname: “The Alien.” No joke. But even beyond the big names, it’s worth taking a look: many teams consist of players who are active in top European leagues and really turn it on at the European Championships. What’s particularly cool is that you can discover players before they become world famous.

Do I need to know everything to enjoy the games?

Nope. That’s the beauty of EuroBasket: you don’t need a rulebook or expert-level knowledge.
All you need is a screen, some excitement, and a love for fast-paced action, drama, and team spirit. If you want to impress your friends or sound like you know your stuff, here are three terms that go a long way:
Rebound = grabbing the ball after a missed shot
Fastbreak = a lightning-quick counterattack
And One = a player gets fouled while scoring, makes the shot, and gets a free throw

Sounds complicated? It’s not. And even if it is – we’ve got your back.

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