Germany have officially stamped their dominance on European basketball once again. In a dramatic final clash against Turkey, the German national team came out on top with a narrow 88-83 victory to claim the EuroBasket 2025 championship on Sunday (Sept 14, local time).
The victory was not only historic but also flawless. Germany completed the entire tournament undefeated, winning all nine of their games en route to the title. This triumph marks the second EuroBasket championship in the country’s history, with the first coming back in 1993. Interestingly, both titles came through nail-biting finals — though the paths to victory were slightly different.
Back in 1993, Germany edged Russia by just one point (71-70). Fast forward to 2025, the Germans had to claw their way back multiple times against a Turkish side that refused to back down.
A Final Packed with Intensity
Turkey opened the game strong, storming to a 13-2 lead that forced Germany to dig deep right from the start. The showdown turned into a battle of depth, stamina, and momentum swings, with neither side willing to concede ground.
Veteran stars Dennis Schröder and Daniel Theis played pivotal roles in keeping Germany composed despite the early deficit. The game featured a remarkable 15 lead changes and 11 tied scores, reflecting just how evenly matched the two teams were.
Heading into the fourth quarter, Turkey held a razor-thin one-point lead. With just five minutes left, Turkey stretched their advantage to five points, threatening to run away with the win. But that’s when Schröder — the heart and soul of German basketball — took over.
Schröder’s Heroics Seal the Title
The 31-year-old guard was directly involved in nine of Germany’s last 14 points. First, he delivered a perfect assist to Isaac Bonga, who sank the go-ahead basket to make it 77-76. Two minutes later, Schröder assisted Theis for a crucial three-pointer, swinging momentum firmly in Germany’s favor.
The defining moment came in the final seconds: Schröder drove hard to the basket, scoring a fearless layup over Alperen Şengün, who was already battling foul trouble with four personals. Moments later, Schröder knocked down a mid-range jumper, forcing Turkish head coach Ergin Ataman to burn his last timeout with just 18 seconds left.
To cap it off, Schröder calmly converted two clutch free throws, sealing Germany’s championship dream.
Back-to-Back International Success
The EuroBasket 2025 crown adds to Germany’s golden run on the international stage. Remarkably, they have now won two of the last three major international basketball tournaments — this EuroBasket and the FIBA World Cup 2023.
What makes the achievement even more unique is that both titles were delivered under different head coaches. Gordon Herbert guided Germany to their World Cup triumph before stepping down after the Paris 2024 Olympics. His successor, Álex Mumbrú, a former Spanish international and winner of the 2006 FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket 2009, was expected to lead the team in 2025.
However, Mumbrú suffered a health setback just before the tournament, forcing assistant coach Alan Ibrahimagić to step up as interim head coach. Against all odds, Ibrahimagić guided Germany to glory, cementing his name in the nation’s basketball history.
Standout Performances
Schröder finished with a brilliant 16 points and 12 assists, securing yet another MVP award, just as he did at the 2023 World Cup. Bonga led the team in scoring with 20 points and 5 rebounds, while Franz Wagner added 18 points and 8 rebounds. Rising star Tristan da Silva chipped in with 13 points and 4 boards, showcasing Germany’s depth and balance.
For Turkey, it was Şengün who carried the offensive load with 28 points on 11-of-22 shooting. Unfortunately, foul trouble limited his impact in the closing minutes. Cedi Osman was red-hot from beyond the arc, hitting 6-of-9 three-pointers to score 23 points while also grabbing 5 rebounds. Osman impressively played the full 40 minutes. Shane Larkin contributed 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Adem Bona added 12 points with a perfect 5-of-5 shooting display.
A New Golden Era for German Basketball
With two major titles in three years, Germany has firmly established itself as one of the world’s basketball powerhouses. From their veteran leaders like Schröder and Theis to their younger core led by Wagner and da Silva, the future looks incredibly bright.
The triumph over Turkey not only added another trophy to Germany’s cabinet but also symbolized the resilience, depth, and unity that define this generation of players. For fans and analysts alike, EuroBasket 2025 will be remembered as the moment Germany confirmed their golden era of basketball.
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