EuroBasket 2025 Day 2 delivered a mix of big performances and tight battles as opening-week action continued across Europe.
Opening games and notable showings
– Limassol, Cyprus: Spain vs. Georgia ended in a surprising Georgia win, with Georgia edging Spain 83-69. Sandro Mamukelashvili led Georgia with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, delivering a standout all-around performance that helped secure the upset.
– Katowice, Poland: Israel defeated Iceland 83-71. Deni Avdija contributed 20 points and 9 rebounds for Israel, while Roman Sorkin poured in 31 points to help stave off Iceland’s upset bid.
Other marquee matchups on the day
– Greece vs. Italy: Greece held a 36-32 lead at halftime behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 14 points on efficient 7-of-10 shooting to go with 4 rebounds. Italy pressed on early in the second quarter without Danilo Gallinari, who was sidelined as the period began, with Melli contributing early scoring in the opening frame.
– Slovenia vs. Poland: Through the first half, Luka Doncic and Gregor Hrovat combined for 26 of Slovenia’s 46 and found themselves trailing by one at the break (46-47). Poland’s Jordan Loyd was heating up from deep, knocking down his fourth triple on five attempts to help Poland build a lead. An on-court moment late in the second quarter saw Michal Sokolowski hit Doncic in the face, prompting a Slovenian bench protest over an alleged unsportsmanlike foul.
Finished games
– Belgium 64, France 92: One of the tournament favorites, France, asserted control early and cruised to a comfortable win.
– Bosnia and Herzegovina 91, Cyprus 64: BiH pulled away in the late stretch to secure a decisive victory.
– Spain 69, Georgia 83: Georgia’s breakout performance produced a convincing win to cap a strong day for the visitors.
– Israel 83, Iceland 71: Israel weathered Iceland’s challenge to close the night with a solid triumph, driven by Sorkin’s 31 points and Avdija’s 20-point, 9-rebound all-around effort.
Takeaways and context
– Georgia’s victory over Spain signals a potential shift in the early-stage power balance, as Mamukelashvili played a pivotal role and the team capitalized on its rhythm early.
– Luka Doncic continued to demonstrate elite playmaking and scoring, even as Slovenia faced a tough run against a Polish side sparked by Loyd’s hot shooting.
– The presence of noted basketball figures in attendance, such as Doc Rivers during the Greece-Italy stretch, underlines the tournament’s high-profile attention and competitive atmosphere.
– Early results show a tournament with depth and unpredictability, setting up another week of compelling EuroBasket action.
Additional commentary
– The day underscored the importance of bench production and defense at this level. Teams like Georgia and Israel leveraged balanced contributions beyond their stars, which could shape how coaches approach lineups in games ahead.
– With multiple favorites already showing vulnerabilities, every matchup on the schedule carries renewed significance as the field tightens toward the knockout rounds.
Summary
The second day of EuroBasket 2025 offered drama, upsets, and breakout performances, highlighted by Georgia’s win over Spain, Israel’s steady handling of Iceland, and a gripping Slovenia-Poland contest. The mix of big-name talent and rising role players kept the action vibrant and provided a hopeful, exciting outlook for the tournament as it progresses.
Positive note
The tournament is delivering high-level basketball and fresh competitive storylines early on, giving fans reasons to stay glued to the action as teams build momentum and chart their paths toward the knockout rounds.