The Greek team celebrating the bronze medal.
The Greek national basketball team has returned to Europe’s basketball elite, claiming the bronze medal at EuroBasket 2025 with a dramatic 92–89 victory over Finland. This long-awaited success marks Greece’s first medal since 2009, renewing pride in a nation with a rich basketball legacy.
Coach Vassilis Spanoulis, in his first major tournament at the helm, praised the team’s resilience and unity:
“It was a great game—one of the best in the tournament. We dominated not only today but throughout the competition, except for one match. I am very proud of my team, for Greece, and we dedicate this medal to all Greeks. After 16 years, it was time for Giannis, Kostas, Papapnikolaou, and the new generation. It was a blessing for me to be the coach of this team.”
His words captured the sense of continuity between past and present, bridging his own era as a player with the new generation now leading Greece back to the podium.
On the court, Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered one of the most remarkable performances in EuroBasket history. He scored 30 points, added 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks, shooting 9-of-11 from the field. This was his fourth career 20-10-5 game in the competition, a record unmatched in the last 30 years.
Reflecting on the achievement, Giannis spoke with pride and emotion:
“I am very proud of my team and my nation. We had not won a medal in 16 years. From the first day of preparation, we worked hard, stayed focused, and believed in our common goal. We waited a long time for this, and now we feel relief.”
He emphasized that wearing the national jersey carried special meaning:
“When you can make 12 million Greeks happy and inspire many children, it is bigger than anything. A kid watching us today may believe he can also win a medal with the national team, just as I once believed.”
With Spanoulis guiding from the bench and Antetokounmpo leading on the court, Greece’s bronze medal is more than just a victory—it symbolizes the return of Greek basketball to the European stage, fueled by tradition, passion, and a new generation ready to carry the torch.
We Greeks are all very proud of our team.
Follow GTP Headlines on Google News to keep up to date with all the latest on tourism and travel in Greece.
Source link
