OT : Eurobasket 2025 semifinals | Türkiye vs Greece | & | Finland vs Germany |

[Rubios]

Luka 22 in a quarter in FIBA WT...

[lambchop]

Oh boy, Greece Vs Turkey semi finals, winner will face Germany who will cruise to the finals.

You're jinxing us. No one on Germany can guard Luka. He's capable of scoring 40 to 60 points which is mentally draining, as an opponent.

[Mavrelous]

Oh boy, Greece Vs Turkey semi finals, winner will face Germany who will cruise to the finals.

You're jinxing us. No one on Germany can guard Luka. He's capable of scoring 40 to 60 points which is mentally draining, as an opponent.

I am trying to jinx, I don't think I'll succeed

[sisibilio]

Luka is winning it, right?

Zero chance VS Germany.

[djw]

Oh boy, Greece Vs Turkey semi finals, winner will face Germany who will cruise to the finals.

You're jinxing us. No one on Germany can guard Luka. He's capable of scoring 40 to 60 points which is mentally draining, as an opponent.

Well, no one can guard Luka, neither on Germany nor on any other national or NBA team. However, with Franz, Bonga, Tristan we maybe have three of the better suited defenders to put against him over 40 minutes. That might at least slow him down as the game goes on.

Still a monster matchup and far from easy but the drop off after Luka is quite big. Not sure though if any other of the Slovenian players would even be in rotation if they were German. So we are the heavy favorites and if we wanna win the Eurobasket, we have to beat Luka anyways.

At the end of the day it's a do or die game though and on certain days Luka is able to win those games all by himself.

[kaansunman]

I found out something weird.
In Turkish and Arabic, we use the word Nemca for Austria, according to Google the word is of slavic origin, in Slovenian, they use this word for Germany instead and call Austria with its original name.

In Turkish we are using the word Nemca for Austria? I am Turkish and it's the first time I hear it.

[Mavrelous]

I found out something weird.
In Turkish and Arabic, we use the word Nemca for Austria, according to Google the word is of slavic origin, in Slovenian, they use this word for Germany instead and call Austria with its original name.

In Turkish we are using the word Nemca for Austria? I am Turkish and it's the first time I hear it.

Well, I'm Arab, and they taught us that we got the name from you
According to Google it was the Ottoman word, looks like it was changed in modernized Turkish.

[Mavrelous]

Get well soon coach! He has done a great job with the team

https://basketnews.com/news-231013-alex-mumbru-steps-back-as-germanys-head-coach-at-eurobasket-2025.html

[kaansunman]

I found out something weird.
In Turkish and Arabic, we use the word Nemca for Austria, according to Google the word is of slavic origin, in Slovenian, they use this word for Germany instead and call Austria with its original name.

In Turkish we are using the word Nemca for Austria? I am Turkish and it's the first time I hear it.

Well, I'm Arab, and they taught us that we got the name from you
According to Google it was the Ottoman word, looks like it was changed in modernized Turkish.

I did a little bit of digging thanks to you.
it was called "Nemçe" in Ottoman time during middle ages and yes it is for Austrians. The origin of the word is Slavic, so we got it from them you got it from us I guess =)

[UcanUwill]

Get well soon coach! He has done a great job with the team

https://basketnews.com/news-231013-alex-mumbru-steps-back-as-germanys-head-coach-at-eurobasket-2025.html

You guys know I do not like naturalized players. I myself have no problem at all with coaches being foreigners, but it is pretty confusing when famous former player from one country coaches entirely different country, I still getting used to Alex Mumbru being a German coach, it sounds so weird in my head. Hopefully he gets healthier, he only coached one game I believe and it was tough one.

[-Luke-]

Get well soon coach! He has done a great job with the team

https://basketnews.com/news-231013-alex-mumbru-steps-back-as-germanys-head-coach-at-eurobasket-2025.html

You guys know I do not like naturalized players. I myself have no problem at all with coaches being foreigners, but it is pretty confusing when famous former player from one country coaches entirely different country, I still getting used to Alex Mumbru being a German coach, it sounds so weird in my head. Hopefully he gets healthier, he only coached one game I believe and it was tough one.

Yes, he missed the entire group stage and was on the bench vs. Portugal. He'll still be on the bench for the rest of the tournament (if healthy enough), but as an assistant.

[CharityStripe34]

I am not taking Lithuania for granted at all. Yes, if Giannis continues to dominate and the shooters hit their shots at a decent clip we have a good chance to advance, but Lithuania will have a massive crowd there and will give us a good fight. One game at a time. Spanoulis has instilled this in the team and all the players talk about it before and after games. Also, our guards have struggled in late game situations against press defense.

[UcanUwill]

I am not taking Lithuania for granted at all. Yes, if Giannis continues to dominate and the shooters hit their shots at a decent clip we have a good chance to advance, but Lithuania will have a massive crowd there and will give us a good fight. One game at a time. Spanoulis has instilled this in the team and all the players talk about it before and after games. Also, our guards have struggled in late game situations against press defense.

People who know Euro ball will know Greece is a favorite, but not a big one, both teams can win that game, wouldn't even be close to biggest upset if LTU wins, we already saw way bigger ones. But Greece is well coached and they actually have hard nosed veteran players, they will enter that game as favorites I believe. and after I wrote this, I am checking betting odds, who are the favorites for sure, let see...

Greece are noticeable favorites against Lithuania, but odds wise, pretty much the same exact as Latvia was, and we know how that turned out.

Turkey are big favorites against Poland. I think all understandable here.

Finland are favorites vs Georgia. Pretty much as big a favorites as Greece is in their own game.

Biggest favorite in 1/4 finals however are Germans, If you bet on Slovenia, if won, cash out would be 6.4 bigger than what you bet. It is enticing bet I would say, for those who do that stuff.

So yeah, I think those odds is what would you expect, nothing surprising.

To win the whole thing, Now Germans are massive favorites, like huge, Turks are second, Greeks third. Finland and Lithuania have almost same odds, but I am a bit surprised that Finland are ahead, maybe the Serbia bump puts them higher, but if I had to do this, I would put Lithuania forth, FInland fifth.

[UcanUwill]

PS. I can not believe 2005 was 20 years ago... Thats insane, it seems so recent. I was way younger in 2005, and in 2005, 1985 to me felt like ancient history. I guess thats how 2005 feels to young people now, but it looks I still very well remember that tournament and that Greek team, and that Serbian fiasco, everything...

Greece winning was a shocker. At that point, we still didn't really know how good Diamantidis, Spanoulis and Papaloukas were, they were all so young still, I remember in 2004 they were just that host nation that we Lithuanians just smoked, they werent on a radar at all, and then year later they won the whole thing. It was weak Eurobasket, all Lithuanian stars didnt play, Pau I believe didn't play, Peja didn't play, but nonetheless that greek team was legit, they probably the golden standard of team that has zero NBA players. Like Papaloukas, Diamantidis, Spanoulis, Bourousis, I mean these guys were just legit better than a ton of players in the NBA, like there is not even a debate there.

[peZt]

PS. I can not believe 2005 was 20 years ago... Thats insane, it seems so recent. I was way younger in 2005, and in 2005, 1985 to me felt like ancient history. I guess thats how 2005 feels to young people now, but it looks I still very well remember that tournament and that Greek team, and that Serbian fiasco, everything...

Greece winning was a shocker. At that point, we still didn't really know how good Diamantidis, Spanoulis and Papaloukas were, they were all so young still, I remember in 2004 they were just that host nation that we Lithuanians just smoked, they werent on a radar at all, and then year later they won the whole thing. It was weak Eurobasket, all Lithuanian stars didnt play, Pau I believe didn't play, Peja didn't play, but nonetheless that greek team was legit, they probably the golden standard of team that has zero NBA players. Like Papaloukas, Diamantidis, Spanoulis, Bourousis, I mean these guys were just legit better than a ton of players in the NBA, like there is not even a debate there.

Yeah its crazy. I started watching Basketball with the Eurobasket 2009. Was so hyped watching our nt with Hedo, Asik, Ilyasova etc. 2010 was even more hyped with the silver medal. I got so hyped that I got super interested in youth basketball and started following the youth teams. I basically knew the rosters of all the top nations U16 teams lmao

I remember when I started following youth basketball in 2009, turkish people in boards started talking about 2 super talents in our youth, the next big prospects after Enes Kanter. One was Kenan Sipahi, the other Okben Ulubay.
Then the U16 Euro happened, Sipahi was really good. The next year the U16 was the 1995 generation with Cedi Osman and we basically all thought we had a new golden generation and we did actually win a medal in pretty much every single youth tournament.
I was so hyped for the national team and also the next generation, I started fantasizing about how our future team could look liek with Enes Kanter, Kenan Sipahi, Cedi Osman and so on.

And now, Cedi and Kenan are playing the Eurobasket and are already 30!!! years old. I just can not believe that those days were 15 years ago. How has it been 15 years from when I was watching these u16 games with Cedi and went on to random baskebtall forums to talk about them? 15 years man wtf. In my head they are still these young talents because it feels like yesterday when they were, but they are already part of the old generation now. Wtfffff. I've watched players from 16 years to now being already part of the old guard. Bro it felt like yesterday when I just watched them as 16 year old kids, how the **** are they 30 already. I dont think Ive felt this much anxiety and existential crisis as now with this lmao. I know time is flying by and we are getting older but really nothing has **** my mind more than guys like Cedi and Kenan already being 30 years old wtf., because it genuinely feels like yesterday in my mind where I was watching their youth games

[m1chal]

In Turkish we are using the word Nemca for Austria? I am Turkish and it's the first time I hear it.

Well, I'm Arab, and they taught us that we got the name from you
According to Google it was the Ottoman word, looks like it was changed in modernized Turkish.

I did a little bit of digging thanks to you.
it was called "Nemçe" in Ottoman time during middle ages and yes it is for Austrians. The origin of the word is Slavic, so we got it from them you got it from us I guess =)

The word Niemcy (Polish version) and related definitely come from proto-Slavic language. It means people who are mute or people you cannot communicate with. Back in the day used as an expression to describe all non-Slavic speakers, now reserved for the Germans. In Polish we call Germany Niemcy, Austria is called Austria.

[UcanUwill]

PS. I can not believe 2005 was 20 years ago... Thats insane, it seems so recent. I was way younger in 2005, and in 2005, 1985 to me felt like ancient history. I guess thats how 2005 feels to young people now, but it looks I still very well remember that tournament and that Greek team, and that Serbian fiasco, everything...

Greece winning was a shocker. At that point, we still didn't really know how good Diamantidis, Spanoulis and Papaloukas were, they were all so young still, I remember in 2004 they were just that host nation that we Lithuanians just smoked, they werent on a radar at all, and then year later they won the whole thing. It was weak Eurobasket, all Lithuanian stars didnt play, Pau I believe didn't play, Peja didn't play, but nonetheless that greek team was legit, they probably the golden standard of team that has zero NBA players. Like Papaloukas, Diamantidis, Spanoulis, Bourousis, I mean these guys were just legit better than a ton of players in the NBA, like there is not even a debate there.

Yeah its crazy. I started watching Basketball with the Eurobasket 2009. Was so hyped watching our nt with Hedo, Asik, Ilyasova etc. 2010 was even more hyped with the silver medal. I got so hyped that I got super interested in youth basketball and started following the youth teams. I basically knew the rosters of all the top nations U16 teams lmao

I remember when I started following youth basketball in 2009, turkish people in boards started talking about 2 super talents in our youth, the next big prospects after Enes Kanter. One was Kenan Sipahi, the other Okben Ulubay.
Then the U16 Euro happened, Sipahi was really good. The next year the U16 was the 1995 generation with Cedi Osman and we basically all thought we had a new golden generation and we did actually win a medal in pretty much every single youth tournament.
I was so hyped for the national team and also the next generation, I started fantasizing about how our future team could look liek with Enes Kanter, Kenan Sipahi, Cedi Osman and so on.

And now, Cedi and Kenan are playing the Eurobasket and are already 30!!! years old. I just can not believe that those days were 15 years ago. How has it been 15 years from when I was watching these u16 games with Cedi and went on to random baskebtall forums to talk about them? 15 years man wtf. In my head they are still these young talents because it feels like yesterday when they were, but they are already part of the old generation now. Wtfffff. I've watched players from 16 years to now being already part of the old guard. Bro it felt like yesterday when I just watched them as 16 year old kids, how the **** are they 30 already. I dont think Ive felt this much anxiety and existential crisis as now with this lmao. I know time is flying by and we are getting older but really nothing has **** my mind more than guys like Cedi and Kenan already being 30 years old wtf., because it genuinely feels like yesterday in my mind where I was watching their youth games

Yeah, I still remember creating realGM account and feeling like new noob, and I still feel that way often, when I see guys like Slava make comments, but its been 14 years since I created RealGM account now I do not remember this exactly, but looking at the date, I created ReaLGM account right after Jonas was drafted, who was my guy for a long time. I remember just posting on CAVS and Raptors forums, and I did't want Raptors to draft Jonas, becase at that time, Raptors fans HATED Euros, and it is funny that Jonas was projected to go 4th. and Raptors had 5th. pick, but were they in denial or smth, but Jonas wasn't even on their radar, like at all, they wanted Knight or Kemba or whatever, and when Jonas was drafted, all these guys just hated it. But guys hated idea of Motiejunas far more, who at a time was basically Bargnani the sequel. I started hating Motiejunas myself, but it was after the draft, I hated that guys game, he was one of those bigs who can't shoot at all, but insisted on being jump shooter. It is funny to think now how much hate I received from Lithuanian fanboys for trashing Motiejunas, but years Later, Motiejunas became just post big who does not shoot at all anymore, I mean guy can't even shoot FTs, but he used to shoot 3s on 50 TS%.

Knowing U16 roster is some real psicho stuff, thats insane. 20 years ago I knew most National team players and I followed European leagues far more, nowadays I just follow Euroleague and NBA, I just got too old to pick up stuff, when you younger, new information just sticks in your head so easily, not the case anymore. Players outside EL and NBA I am not well familiar with these days.

I said this before, but back in the day, I was NBA LIVE modder and I made FIBA mods, rosters skins etc, and till this day when I watch players, in my head I see their ratings like it would be video game, I see numbers and their theoretical ratings I beautiful mind I mean I am not trying, my head just does it on its own.

Most Euroelague or FIBA modders make rosters separate from NBA world, so FIBA star could be like 93 OVR. My mods were unique that it all existed in NBA world, meaning these Euros, they had low ratings, but that was the beauty of it, to take on team USA with Jaka Lakovic and Bostjan Nachbar and stuff, who were like 63 and 66 OVR

[Bad Guy]

The tournament has been full of surprises thus far no coasting in one game elimination matches, you always have to bring your A game and luck is a factor as well but still it seems that only Germany has a team, which can mitigate the luck factor the most and bring their A game to the all matches. They have been my favorites since the group stages, prior to the start of Eurobasket it seemed that Serbia was going to take it all.

I am taking Germany, even Luka won't be able to carry the team through them especially seeing that Slovenian players are just hopeless 3pt bricklayers.

Finland VS Georgia is the most even match up, if the Finns are not burned out after their victory against the Serbia, looks like they should take it.
However as Lithuanian, I've seen god tier performances from our team in the championships and then a choke job in the following games .

Turkey vs Poland, looks like a Turkey going to semis. We also saw two Turkeys, the one vs Serbia and the one vs Sweden, if we are going to get an average of these, Turkey should take it.

Lithuania vs Greece... well my brain is telling me Greece but the heart is for Lithuania. I think we are one of the worst match ups for them. Nobody can stop Giannis, but Lithuania might be able to contain him as we did with Markkanen. We are the first team with both perimeter defense and paint protection at the same time. Our guards are just too annoying and at least we have JV for the paint protection. It will depend how good the Greece will be from 3s on switches. So far the Lithuanian coach has done an amazing job so I will not be surprised if we have something for Greeks as well. However the Greece is full of good experienced players plus Giannis, I would not bet against them even against the Germany, they still got TOP 3 player in the world.

[lambchop]

Get well soon coach! He has done a great job with the team

https://basketnews.com/news-231013-alex-mumbru-steps-back-as-germanys-head-coach-at-eurobasket-2025.html

You guys know I do not like naturalized players. I myself have no problem at all with coaches being foreigners, but it is pretty confusing when famous former player from one country coaches entirely different country, I still getting used to Alex Mumbru being a German coach, it sounds so weird in my head. Hopefully he gets healthier, he only coached one game I believe and it was tough one.

I always considered him a trojan horse. Spanish and German styles of play and coaching styles aren't really compatible. The team looked more fluid without.

German players are generally used to that Bosnian/Yugo style cause many guys from the Balkans are involved in German basketball as coaches.

I still hope Mumbru can recover ASAP from his illness and none of this lingers. He looked surprisingly good coaching in the ACB for a former player.

[CharityStripe34]

The tournament has been full of surprises thus far no coasting in one game elimination matches, you always have to bring your A game and luck is a factor as well but still it seems that only Germany has a team, which can mitigate the luck factor the most and bring their A game to the all matches. They have been my favorites since the group stages, prior to the start of Eurobasket it seemed that Serbia was going to take it all.

I am taking Germany, even Luka won't be able to carry the team through them especially seeing that Slovenian players are just hopeless 3pt bricklayers.

Finland VS Georgia is the most even match up, if the Finns are not burned out after their victory against the Serbia, looks like they should take it.
However as Lithuanian, I've seen god tier performances from our team in the championships and then a choke job in the following games .

Turkey vs Poland, looks like a Turkey going to semis. We also saw two Turkeys, the one vs Serbia and the one vs Sweden, if we are going to get an average of these, Turkey should take it.

Lithuania vs Greece... well my brain is telling me Greece but the heart is for Lithuania. I think we are one of the worst match ups for them. Nobody can stop Giannis, but Lithuania might be able to contain him as we did with Markkanen. We are the first team with both perimeter defense and paint protection at the same time. Our guards are just too annoying and at least we have JV for the paint protection. It will depend how good the Greece will be from 3s on switches. So far the Lithuanian coach has done an amazing job so I will not be surprised if we have something for Greeks as well. However the Greece is full of good experienced players plus Giannis, I would not bet against them even against the Germany, they still got TOP 3 player in the world.

I can't wait for the immediate "asterisk" thread if someone other than Germany were to win the tournament here in the GB. It's tradition.