The second day of EuroBasket 2025 action unfolded across Groups A and B, delivering exactly what fans expected: a showcase of Europe`s premier basketball talent asserting their dominance. Far from any early tournament upsets, the day’s fixtures cemented the established pecking order, with the continent`s most luminous stars ensuring their nations remain on a path to glory.
Group A: Jokic Orchestrates Serbian Supremacy, Porzingis Lifts Latvia
In Group A, the narrative of predictable excellence continued. Serbia, a perennial powerhouse, extended its undefeated run thanks to the unparalleled brilliance of Nikola Jokic. The three-time NBA MVP once again demonstrated why he`s considered one of the sport`s most unique talents, orchestrating a comfortable 80-69 victory over Portugal. Jokic effortlessly notched 23 points and 10 rebounds, doing so with such efficiency that he could afford the luxury of sitting out the entire final quarter. It`s a testament to his impact that even with a strong showing from Portugal`s Brito, the outcome was never truly in doubt.
Earlier, Turkey joined Serbia at the top of the group standings after overcoming a spirited Czech Republic side 92-78. The Turkish effort was spearheaded by a commanding performance from Alperen Sengun in the paint, ably supported by the scoring prowess of Cedi Osman, who contributed 21 points. Meanwhile, Latvia, cheered on by a passionate home crowd, secured their inaugural victory of the tournament in a nail-biting encounter against Estonia. Coach Luca Banchi`s squad, often trailing, relied heavily on the towering presence of Kristaps Porzingis. The “Unicorn” delivered a crucial 26 points, a solitary beacon of double-digit scoring that ultimately saw Latvia edge out their Baltic rivals 72-70. Sometimes, a single, undeniable force is all it takes to shift momentum, a lesson Estonia learned the hard way.
Group B: Markkanen`s Masterclass and German Efficiency Reign Supreme
Over in Tampere, Group B painted a similar picture of established hierarchies. Finland, Germany, and Lithuania all maintained their perfect records, showcasing why they arrived at the tournament as heavy favorites. The host nation, Finland, delivered the most emphatic statement of the day, utterly demolishing Great Britain 109-79. The architect of this destruction? None other than Lauri Markkanen. The Finnish phenom put on a scoring clinic, pouring in an astonishing 43 points, including a remarkable 29 by halftime. It was a performance that bordered on the theatrical, reminding everyone of his explosive offensive capabilities.
Germany, continuing their impressive form from day one, effortlessly cruised past Sweden with a commanding 105-83 win. The dynamic duo of Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner once again proved uncontainable, combining for 44 points (Schroder with 23, Wagner with 21). Their seamless teamwork and relentless offensive attack suggest Germany is a serious contender. Lithuania, not to be outdone, also asserted its authority with a dominant 94-67 triumph over Montenegro. Jonas Valanciunas provided his usual robust presence, while Jakubaitis delivered a standout double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds, ensuring Montenegro`s Nikola Vucevic had little room to operate effectively.
The Verdict: Stars Align for a Predictably Thrilling Tournament
Day two of EuroBasket 2025 has effectively confirmed the pre-tournament whispers: this is a competition where the biggest names are expected to, and indeed are, delivering. From Jokic`s effortless command to Markkanen`s scoring explosion, and from Porzingis`s clutch heroics to the German duo`s synergy, the stars are not just participating; they are dictating the pace and narrative. While upsets are the spice of any tournament, these early stages suggest that those hoping for a David vs. Goliath story will have to wait. For now, Goliath is merely warming up, and the show, in its predictable brilliance, is utterly captivating.
Murray Blackwood