“We did it. This is one of the biggest accomplishments I ever had as an athlete.” Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn’t hold back his tears after securing the bronze medal at the EuroBasket 2025. The semi-final was particularly difficult against Turkey, who crushed Greece with a 94-68 win. Moreover, the Greek Freak contributed 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. But bouncing back with a 30-point show against Finland, the third step on the podium was blue and white.

This bronze medal was more than just another accolade for Giannis. “I know I’ve won an NBA championship, but there’s no feeling like representing your national team, representing 12 million people that breathed and lived this national team,” he told the media. “So, this is probably the greatest accomplishment I’ve ever accomplished so far in my life,” 

Now, during a discussion of the EuroBasket on the Club 520 podcast, DJ Wells expressed that he understands why the 30-year-old Milwaukee Bucks star was emotional. “He probably already owns Greece, but he stands forever over there. That means a lot to them,” he commented. Meanwhile, B Hen added that the US is used to winning gold. So, they don’t understand what it might mean to win silver or bronze. But for others, it’s a big deal.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ex-teammate, Jeff Teague, added, “It’s kind of crazy. We really don’t give a f— about the Olympics. We don’t. We’re just mad when we lose. When we lost, they were sad as hell, and we went about our business. When we got silver, we were like, Man, what are they doing?” But such a mentality doesn’t exist for other countries, especially in Europe.

European players come with a different fire. And it’s not just their loyalty to the franchise, but the dedication they bring to the sport. But again, that’s not all. They’re playing for their respective countries, walking into the NBA, and stealing the show. “I think it’s unfair. It’s unfair that they get to come to our country and play. No disrespect, but they get to do everything,” Teague sharply commented.

Jeff Teague further pointed out, “They get to go to the NBA, kill, get the money, and go back home and do the same thing. They can play as many minutes as they want in Greece. I don’t know the rules, but in some leagues, you can only play a certain amount of Americans. They get to do it all. They can come here. It ain’t no rules.”

Here’s an interesting piece of information: The NBA counts eight MVP winners, with a combined twelve awards, as “international players.” They include Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki, Nikola Jokic, and, of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s a combined total of eight MVP tags.

Coming back to Greece’s bronze medal clash against Finland on Sunday, the stage was set for a defining performance. With emotions running high and national pride on the line, Giannis Antetokounmpo rose to the occasion. What followed was nothing short of a master class, leaving fans in absolute awe.

Giannis Antetokounmpo brought Greece back on the EuroBasket 2025 map

Giannis Antetokounmpo turned agony into ecstasy after being silenced to 12 points in the semifinal heartbreak against Turkey by Ercan Osmani’s rare defensive clamp. Then came Finland, and everything shifted. The Greek Freak erupted for 30 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, and two rejections, connecting on nine of 11 attempts. Finland kept clawing, trailing by 14 at half and cutting it to 90-87 with seconds left.

Elias Vantonen’s trip to the stripe carried hope, yet one miss shattered Finland’s dream of overtime. Giannis coolly drained two free throws, sealing Greece’s thrilling 92-89 victory. It was their first EuroBasket medal since 2009, when coach Vassilis Spanoulis lifted them past Slovenia by a point. For Antetokounmpo, after three EuroBasket runs, two world tournaments, and one Olympics, this bronze was his maiden international prize, promising inspiration for generations to come.

Giannis turned a summer of heartbreak into a story that will echo through generations. From a crushing semifinal to a bronze medal masterpiece, he carried Greece back onto the EuroBasket map. The tears, the pride, the fire—it all showed why his name thunders louder than medals. And somehow, this feels like only the beginning.