Germany climbed back to the top of European basketball on Sunday, defeating Türkiye, 88-83, in a tense, back-and-forth EuroBasket 2025 Final to capture their second continental title and first since 1993.
The win completes a historic run for Germany’s “golden generation,” who now hold both the FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket titles — a rare double that places them among Europe’s all-time elite.
Played in front of a packed arena in Riga, the championship game offered one of the most gripping Finals in tournament history. The score was tied 11 times, with 15 lead changes highlighting the razor-thin margins. Neither side managed to build more than a two-possession lead until the closing minutes.
Germany trailed for stretches, as Türkiye’s physicality and pace challenged their defense. Alperen Şengün proved nearly unstoppable in the post, finishing with 28 points. Cedi Osman complemented him with 23, while Shane Larkin orchestrated the offense with 13 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
But every time Türkiye surged, Germany answered. Their resilience carried through the fourth quarter, when Isaac Bonga and Dennis Schröder delivered decisive plays to seize control.
Schröder Takes Command in Crunch Time
As the final minute approached, Türkiye clung to a one-point lead. That’s when Schröder — Germany’s captain and emotional anchor — took over.
The 32-year-old guard attacked with his signature speed, slipping past Şengün for a left-handed layup that swung momentum back to Germany. On the next possession, he rose for a mid-range jumper, coolly extending the lead to three with 20 seconds left. When Şengün’s contested three rimmed out, Schröder grabbed the rebound and iced the victory with two free throws.
🇩🇪 Germany are the #EuroBasket 2025 champions, defeating Türkiye in one of the closest Finals ever!
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 14, 2025
Full highlights of the epic battle! pic.twitter.com/LDIjWG7VQn
“We never shy away from the big moments,” Schröder said. “It’s not just Franz, it’s not just me, it’s the whole team. To be a World Cup winner and European champ, it’s big time.”
Schröder closed the night with 16 points, 12 assists, and the tournament MVP trophy. In a gesture of gratitude, he handed the championship hardware to head coach Álex Mumbrú, who had returned to the bench after battling illness but entrusted much of the campaign to assistant Alan Ibrahimagić.
“First off, shoutout to Alan,” Schröder added. “Álex is the head coach, but what Alan did taking over, coaching us, it was incredible.”
Bonga’s Breakthrough Performance
While Schröder’s poise secured the win, Bonga’s breakout scoring display anchored Germany throughout the second half. Typically lauded for his defensive versatility, the 25-year-old forward poured in 20 points — his highest output of the tournament — while hitting two critical 3-pointers and finishing a thunderous one-handed dunk in the fourth quarter.
“You realize how hard you work for this,” Bonga said afterward. “As a player, you dream of making these shots in such a match… It’s like a trip with my best friends.”
Ibrahimagić praised him in glowing terms: “Amazing game. That’s why we call him Swiss army knife, he can do everything. He was the MVP of the game, deservedly. That’s what he is.”
Bonga also secured a crucial offensive rebound with 30 seconds left, extending a possession that burned valuable clock and set up Schröder’s final free throws.
Wagner and the Supporting Cast
Germany’s balance once again proved decisive. Franz Wagner, who has been central to both the 2023 World Cup and 2025 EuroBasket campaigns, added 18 points, providing steady scoring on the wing.
“They played a hell of a game, with a lot of energy,” Wagner said of Türkiye. “Şengün in the post hurt us a little bit. In these games, luck is involved, just momentum plays are part of it, and we made one more play today.”
Andreas Obst and Daniel Theis chipped in with timely shots and defensive stands, underscoring Germany’s depth. Collectively, Germany outscored Türkiye 14-7 on second-chance points — a margin that reflected Bonga’s hustle and the team’s effort on the glass.
Türkiye’s Fight to the Finish
For Türkiye, the defeat was bitter but showcased their emergence as a rising power. Şengün dominated with 28 points, using his footwork and touch to score inside against multiple defenders. Osman’s outside shooting kept the game close, while Larkin’s control of tempo gave Türkiye chances deep into the fourth quarter.
The silver medal equaled Türkiye’s best-ever EuroBasket finish, matching their run in 2001 when they hosted the tournament. Still, their record in international Finals now stands at 0-3, with prior losses in EuroBasket 2001 and the 2010 FIBA World Cup.
A Historic Double for Germany
Germany’s triumph links two golden moments. Nine players from the 2023 World Cup-winning roster returned for EuroBasket 2025, forming a continuity that has elevated the program to new heights.
By winning both tournaments, Germany joined a select company of nations — the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Spain — to hold the World Cup and EuroBasket titles simultaneously.
Ingo Weiss, president of the German basketball federation, called the result a collective achievement.
“It was incredible. The boys were determined and battled until the very end,” Weiss said. “Everyone fought for one another. The team is the star.”
Ibrahimagić emphasized the group’s character: “This team is unbelievably talented, but even more, it has great people, great characters, great fighters that never give up. We were never in panic, or nervous, because we knew that in crunch time, whoever was on the court would take the right decisions.”
Talk about X-Factor.
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 14, 2025
Isaac Bonga (20 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST) made all the difference in the final for Germany 🇩🇪#EuroBasket | #MakeYourMark pic.twitter.com/TmyN21WyHe
For Schröder, who has now led Germany to consecutive international titles, the moment confirmed his legacy.
“Everybody is happy,” he said. “We are a team, and we did our job.”
Tournament Honors
Schröder was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after averaging double figures in scoring and assists throughout the event. He was joined on the All-Star Five by Wagner, Luka Dončić (Slovenia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), and Şengün.
The honor places Schröder among Germany’s all-time greats, with media and fans alike praising his leadership, consistency, and knack for rising in clutch moments.
“It’s a privilege to represent Germany. I want to do it until I am 40,” he said.
The Road Ahead
For Germany, the win is expected to fuel domestic basketball interest and further solidify their reputation on the international stage. With a strong core that includes Schröder, Wagner, Bonga, Obst, and Theis, the team is well-positioned for future competitions, including Olympic qualification.
For Türkiye, the silver medal confirms progress under a young core led by Şengün. Their Finals run signals that they are on the cusp of breaking through, even if the ultimate prize remains elusive.
