The biggest names in European basketball are preparing to make this summer theirs. EuroBasket, one of the biggest international tournaments, returns this year, and it has gripped the basketball world. Marquee names such as Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic are part of the 42 EuroBasket. The action stands only a few weeks away.

Before it does, it’s best to understand how EuroBasket 2025 will work. It starts with its four host nations – Latvia, Finland, Cyprus, and Poland. They received automatic qualification for the competition. The remaining 20 teams were decided from a qualification pool, which began with 32 teams. It lays the groundwork for even competition all along.

The 24 teams are divided into four groups of six teams each. Each team plays five group stage games, unlike the NBA’s 82-game regular season. At the end of the group stage, the top four teams from each group qualify for the knockout stages, where there’s no second chance.

Now that we know the basics, let’s take a look at the teams involved in the competition.

EuroBasket 2025 teams and groups

As mentioned before, 24 teams are part of EuroBasket 2025. The competition sees it all. National powerhouses, historic teams, and even some new additions have made it to the event this time. Each group has its own dynamic, but as it happens with every competition, there’s one group of death. Without wasting any time, let’s look at the four groups.

GROUP A

• Serbia (2)
• Latvia (9, host)
• Czechia (19)
• Türkiye (27)
• Estonia (43)
• Portugal (56)

Headlined by Nikola Jokic’s Serbia, Group A consists of some heavy hitters. Latvia has some NBA talent, while Portugal is returning to EuroBasket for the first time in 14 years.

GROUP B

• Germany (3)
• Lithuania (10)
• Montenegro (16)
• Finland (20, host)
• Great Britain (48)
• Sweden (49)

Germany is marred with NBA talent and is coming off an uneventful showing during the Paris Olympics. But as FIBA World Cup winners and a basketball nation, they are the favorites to top the group. Lithuania is another team with a great basketball history.

GROUP C

• Spain (5)
• Greece (13)
• Italy (14)
• Georgia (24)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina (41)
• Cyprus (85, host)

This right here is the ‘Group of Death’ for EuroBasket 2025. Greece is fueled with ambition, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo. Spain are the defending champions, and Italy have proven to be a tough nation. It’s bound to be a dogfight between all six teams. This is a group where every result will matter.

Group D

• France (4)
• Slovenia (11)
• Poland (17, host)
• Israel (39)
• Belgium (40)
• Iceland (50)

Slovenia will attract all the eyes in Group D as Luka Doncic’s physical transformation has the basketball world curious. On the other hand, France will give their young talent a spin as Victor Wembanyama misses out on the competition.

The group stage game will begin on August 27. The games will be as per the corresponding host nations present in each group. After a week of electric action, the business end of the tournament will commence.

EuroBasket 2025 knockout stage and more

The group stage sets the tone for EuroBasket 2025. For an entire week, all teams will look to play their best basketball or strategically qualify. In the end, the 16-team war in the knockout stages is what truly counts. Each group will see the top four teams progress.

After a grueling group stage, the knockout rounds will begin on September 5, starting with the round of 16. As made obvious, each game will be a knockout. Two teams that win their three games in a row will meet in the Finals on September 14. On the same day, the two sides that lost in the semifinals will play for third place.

Unlike the group stages, though, the knockout rounds have one common venue. All the games will be played at the Xiaomi Arena, in Riga, Latvia. The preparation for the tournament has already begun. Teams are playing friendlies to get into rhythm. Some of the best players in the world are preparing for the crown of Europe.

Who do you think wins? Let us know your views in the comments below.