Null duel between Sengun and Antetokounmpo: Turkey crushes Greece in the EuroBasket

There has been no history. Turkey had a much superior team to Greece beyond Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Ottomans have crushed the Greek team by 94-68, setting up a final against Germany in an unprecedented Eurobasket 2025 final.

In 2017, Slovenia conquered the EuroBasket with a flawless 9-0 record, being the only team to achieve it since the current format was established a decade ago. This Sunday, there will be another undefeated champion, as Germany and Turkey reach the final with an 8-0 record. 

Greece received mixed news in the first quarter. They managed to keep Alperen Sengun scoreless but were already at a double-digit disadvantage, 26-16, thanks to Ercan Osmani's unstoppable start, scoring 14 points with four three-pointers in those first ten minutes. With Sengun getting involved in the second quarter, scoring and assisting, the lead ballooned to 45-25 before halftime. The story remained unchanged in the second half: the gap reached 26 points in the third period, while the over 10,000 fans present celebrated the Turkish display.

The undisputed star was Ercan Osmani. The 27-year-old power forward not only stopped Giannis Antetokounmpo defensively but also shined offensively with a dream performance: 28 points, his best showing with the national team, with 6 of 8 from beyond the arc. His previous high was 17 points, achieved in November 2024 in the qualifying windows against Hungary. His impact was total, and together with Sengun, they formed a wall that thwarted every attempt by the Greek star.

The key statistic

The key statistic was Greece's 22 turnovers, the highest number in a EuroBasket semifinal in the last 30 years. The constant pressure from Sehmus Hazer and Cedi Osman on the Greek playmakers prevented them from connecting with Antetokounmpo, forcing errors from the start. Ergin Ataman's plan worked perfectly: collective defense on Giannis, interior help from Sengun, and punishing outside shots for every lapse.

Turkey returns to the final, fulfilling the coach's promise made in August in Riga. With Hedo Turkoglu observing the match from the stands, the Ottoman team is not satisfied with just a medal. After the silver achieved at home in 2001 and the 2010 world runner-up, the team is just one step away from conquering its first major title in history. Greece, on the other hand, will have to settle for playing the third-place game against Finland.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Duelo nulo entre Sengun y Anteto: Turquía destroza a Grecia en el Eurobasket