While every game matters for Greece in EuroBasket 2025, this year, none matter more. Giannis Antetokounmpo has elevated his responsibility, delivering against Lithuania with 29 points and drilling four critical free throws in the game’s closing minute to secure a long-awaited semifinal berth, Greece’s first since 2009. Matters for Türkiye are equally existential. With a commanding 91–77 win over Poland, powered by Alperen Şengün’s triple-double (19 pts, 12 reb, 10 ast), Turkey has secured its first Final Four appearance since 2001.

At the center of this high-stakes narrative stands Ergin Ataman, a coach renowned for his psychological play. Widely criticized yet methodically strategic, Ataman has repeatedly engaged in officiating-focused mind games, after matches against Barcelona and Maccabi, his outspoken remarks triggered major disciplinary responses from the EuroLeague, including public censure and fines. His approach ensures that if Greece advances, every officiating decision surrounding Giannis will be watched with added scrutiny.

Turkish head coach Ergin Ataman reignited the EuroBasket 2025 debate with a pointed post on X, shared by Eurohoops, where he declared: “Spanoulis said in Cyprus that Giannis gets few free throws and yesterday he got 16. So it was a smart move … but I saw many, many offensive fouls from him in the previous games.” The remark underscored Ataman’s reputation for psychological gamesmanship, often using public commentary to apply pressure on officiating crews. By invoking both Spanoulis’s earlier statement and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s sudden surge in free-throw attempts, Ataman sharpened the spotlight on referees ahead of Turkey’s high-stakes clashes.

The context of Ataman’s words traces back to Greek head coach Vassilis Spanoulis, who in Cyprus had already raised concerns about inconsistent officiating toward Giannis. Comparing him to other EuroBasket stars, Spanoulis argued: “You can’t have Luka with 20–23 free throws per game and Giannis begging to get a foul while getting hacked. Just 12 free throws are few for Giannis; he could have had another 10 for sure.” The statistical backdrop supports his claim, Giannis averaged just 9.4 free-throw attempts per game across the tournament, far lower than Luka Dončić, who averaged between 13.4 and 13.8 free throw attempts per game in the tournament. Against Spain, Giannis’s 12 attempts stood out as modest for a player whose relentless drives expose him to constant contact.

That narrative shifted dramatically in the knockout win over Lithuania, where Giannis earned 16 free throws converting 11, a season-high that amplified the debate over how he is officiated. Ataman seized on that spike to reinforce his point about potential “offensive fouls” being overlooked, a classic example of his long-standing tactic of influencing referee psychology.

In their quarterfinal win over Lithuania (87–76), Giannis exploded for 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals, including 4 crucial free throws in the final minute that effectively sealed the victory ensuring Greece’s first semifinal appearance since 2009. Meanwhile, Turkey’s own momentum surged behind star Alperen Şengün, who notched a historic triple-double 19 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists to power a comfortable 91–77 victory over Poland.

Statistically, Greece enters the semis averaging 86.1 points per game, while Turkey leads with 90.7, illustrating how both teams thrive on offensive efficiency and physical dominance. As such, when Ataman casts a referee’s gaze toward Giannis, he’s using every free-throw attempt, point tally, and stat sheet as weapons in a game already shaping to be epic.

Greece vs. Turkey: A rivalry reborn

The EuroBasket 2025 semifinals stage is set for a clash laden with history and fierce competition: Greece versus Turkey. This impending match, scheduled for Friday, September 12th at 21:00 CEST / 2:00 PM ET, is more than just a battle for a spot in the championship game; it’s a rekindling of a deep-seated rivalry between the two nations.

Greece, a two-time EuroBasket champion (1987, 2005), is back in the semifinals for the first time since 2009, driven by a hunger to reclaim European glory. Turkey, unbeaten at 7-0 in the tournament, has reached the final four for the first time since their silver-medal run in 2001 as hosts.

Their matchups have been infrequent but intense, with Greece holding a 6-2 edge in EuroBasket matchups since 1995. Their last meeting, a 92-76 Lithuanian rout of Greece in the 2023 FIBA World Cup (where Giannis did not play), underscores the unpredictability of their clashes.

Turkey’s head coach, Ergin Ataman, a flamboyant tactician with a knack for bold statements, has galvanized his squad with a medal-or-bust mentality. His call for Turkish fans to flood Riga—“I expect our airlines to operate additional flights to Riga and for many fans from Türkiye to support us”—underscores the cultural weight of this matchup. Ataman’s high-octane offensive schemes, centered around Şengün’s point-center playmaking, will test Greece’s defense, particularly in the paint, where Giannis and Jonas Valančiūnas clashed physically in the quarterfinals.

Furkan Korkmaz, a Turkish guard, expressed the team’s growing confidence and goals, stating, “It’s our time. Every day, we are showing it… We got two more games left, hopefully, we’ll play our best basketball”. These statements reflect the desire for a championship and the extra motivation from a rivalry with deep cultural and historical roots for both countries.

Vassilis Spanoulis, leans on disciplined defense and Giannis’ versatility. Their strategy will likely focus on doubling Şengün to disrupt Turkey’s offensive flow, forcing guards like Larkin and Korkmaz to beat them from outside, where Turkey’s three-point shooting (sub-30% in some games) has been inconsistent. Greece’s ability to control the tempo and limit Turkey’s 23 assists per game will be crucial.

The semifinal will be a memorable event because of this matchup between two unique talents, each representing their nations’ aspirations.