“European basketball is more… I need to be careful with it…Of course, the NBA is the best league in the world, but Europeans are coming for sure.” This was Dennis Schroder’s statement last year, and after the conclusion of the EuroBasket 2025, it feels real. Tournament favorites like Slovenia, Serbia, and Greece were not the teams to win the gold medal. It was Germany that was the best team of the tournament, but after the victory, their captain was not gloating.

When Germany sealed an 88–83 win over Türkiye to claim gold, Dennis Schroder stood as both champion and MVP. And it was Giannis Antetokounmpo—whose Greece had long since exited—that cut through the noise, stepping onto the hardwood to meet his NBA peer. The two embraced in a scene that transcended box scores and brackets.

Schroder was part of the All-Star Five alongside Giannis and even waved at him. During the press conference, a reporter asked about the interaction. “We’re representing [our] countries. Me, Germany. [Giannis Antetokounmpo], Greece. Got his first medal as well for Greece. Nothing but respect for him. Four beautiful children, his wife, his brothers who are always with him,” Schroder said. Nothing but respect between the two.

It wasn’t just a congratulatory hug. It was one star recognizing another for carrying his nation with pride, for shouldering the weight that only leaders of their caliber understand. Schroder had etched his name into German basketball history, and Giannis—himself no stranger to the burden of expectation—honored that achievement.

Schroder once again showed his quality, leading the world champs to the rare World Cup/EuroBasket double. Thanks to his big Final performance of 16 points and 12 assists, which pushed Germany to the title. That accolade got even sweeter when he earned himself the second All-Star appearance in a row after 2022. Even though it was not a gold for Greece, they were back on the podium after 16 years. Along with Bronze, Giannis Antetokounmpo cemented his legacy with the decoration and back-to-back entries in the EuroBasket All-Star Five lineup.

So, Dennis Schroder knows what it takes to be a leader and the expectations of winning it for the country.“We do exactly the same thing, but what he does in the NBA is a little bit on a different level. One of the best players in the world. He’s one of the best players in the world. I mean, it’s just uh, great that he came up to me and um, showed great sportsmanship and, told me that he’s watching our YouTube videos. I like that. It’s great for Greece and for Germany.”

Moments like this remind us that international basketball is about more than rivalries. It’s about a fraternity of players who elevate their countries on the world stage, then come together in respect once the battles are done. That embrace between Giannis and Schroder wasn’t just sportsmanship—it was the heartbeat of the global game.

This was Germany’s first EuroBasket title since 1993, and they had to fight hard for it. Their opponents, Turkey, were riding a wave of momentum. After all, in their semifinal clash, they restricted the Greek Freak to just 12 points in a convincing 94-68 victory. But the final was a cagey affair, as Germany topped Turkey 88-83 on Sunday.

The game had 15 lead changes and 11 ties, with the final lead change coming thanks to Die Mannschaft’s captain. Schroder scored on a drive to put Germany up by one with 1:15 left. Later, with just 18.7 seconds remaining, he added a jumper after Turkey’s Alperen Sengun missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game. Ultimately, it was Schroder who sealed the gold with a pair of free throws.

Despite a conflict, Dennis Schroder rose to the occasion

As stated before, this was the first EuroBasket win in three decades, which means even the great Dirk Nowitzki didn’t achieve the feat for the country. But when the current team won, his support was loud and proud. “Europameister!!!!” This one-word message on X translates to European champions. Must be a great feeling for this team and their captain, who grew up watching the 2007 MVP. “When I was 14, I sat in front of the TV watching Dirk Nowitzki carry the flag at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Back then I thought: how cool, there’s no greater honor.”

A few weeks ago, Dennis Schroder sat down for an interview with ‘Stern’. During the same time, he touched base on Dirk Nowitzki’s time with Team Germany, but he doesn’t feel the same during his tenure with the national team. “It’s a great honor, but for me it will never be the same as for Dirk,” said the Sacramento Kings star. Now 31 years old, Schroder says the reality is quite different from what he imagined it to be. “I will never receive the same love in this country, because I am dark-skinned.”

Though Schroder blames the surrounding environment, and holds zero grudges against the Dallas Mavericks legend. Instead of using the noise as a distraction, the German captain used it as a motivation. He became only the third German player to win the EuroBasket MVP award, joining Chris Welp, who earned the distinction after Germany’s last gold medal triumph in 1993.