On Sunday night (21:45 local time), Greece and Israel face off in the Round of 16 at EuroBasket, in a do-or-die clash with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line—where Lithuania already awaits the winner. It’s a matchup with a clear favorite in Greece, but Israel has shown it can be dangerous if underestimated. Knockout games allow no room for mistakes, and both teams will need to be sharp and focused from the opening tip.
Greece enters the game with strong momentum and solid form, coming off a crucial 90–86 win over Spain that secured first place in Group C and paved a more favorable path toward the semifinals. The Greek team impressed for three quarters with excellent perimeter shooting and balanced offense. Despite a late scare in the final minutes, the key players stepped up when it mattered most. Giannis Antetokounmpo was once again dominant (25 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists), Kostas Sloukas hit big shots down the stretch, and Tyler Dorsey added valuable scoring with 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. The team’s overall performance has inspired confidence, but against Israel, Greece will need discipline, high energy, and control of the tempo—especially on the defensive end.
On the other side, Israel hasn’t been entirely convincing in the group stage but remains a team with athleticism, youthful energy, and a clear leader in NBA forward Deni Avdija. He is the focal point of their offense and a key creator, capable of causing problems in isolation or in transition. However, Israel’s biggest weakness lies in its defensive structure, particularly in transition defense—an area Greece will look to exploit. The two teams faced off in a friendly earlier this summer in Limassol, where Israel cruised to a 75–58 win, although Greece was missing several key players and looked very different from the squad it will field on Sunday.