By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After almost three weeks of action, the European champions crown will be given today (20.00 CET) in the final between Germany and Turkey, while Greece will face Finland (16.00 CET) for the bronze.
It’s a Sunday where history will be made one way or another and while this can be said for every final or medal game, things are even more special this time around.
The World Cup – Eurobasket double
Germany has emerged as a powerhouse in FIBA Basketball, having by far its best generation of players. Despite winning the title in 1993 while hosting the event and also having won a silver (2005) and also a bronze (2022) again at home, the German are the current FIBA World Cup champions and winning also their continental tournament will put them in select company.
In the past, the Soviet Union in the 60s (1967 – 1969) and the 80s (1981 – 1982) held both crowns, Yugoslavia did it in the 70s (1977 – 1978), twice the 90s (1989-1991, 1997-1998) and also after the turn of the century (2001-2002) and most recently Spain (2019-2022).
This can be the proof a real “Golden generation” which in Germany’s case seem to be just entering its prime and having a bright future no matter what.
The first gold
Türkiye has won two silver medals in FIBA competition, one in the 2001 Eurobasket and one in the 2010 FIBA World Cup, hosting the events both times.
Alperen Sengun and co have already secured the first medal in their country’s history outside their home soil and they have also the chance to get their first gold ever.
It’s a great opportunity for them in a hard-to-predict final since the two unbeaten so far teams of the tournament are facing off and like Germany, this generation of Turkish players which already had very notable results in the junior level (photo) has finally arrived on the senior level and will be among the FIBA contenders for years to come.
The big chance of Giannis Antetokounmpo against first-timer Finland
The stakes are also high on the bronze medal game. While Greece has won two Eurobasket titles in 1987 and in 2005, plus a silver in the FIBA World Cup of 2006 and two bronze Eurobasket medals in 2009 and back in 1949, they never won anything with Giannis Antetokounmpo in their roster.
It seems strange having a future Hall-of-Famer on the roster and not being able to achieve something big, so for Giannis this game might be the opportunity of a lifetime.
On the other side, Finland while constantly making progress the last 15 years, has its first chance ever to win a medal in a FIBA competition.
Until now, their biggest result was finishing sixth in the 1967 Eurobasket which was held at home soil. They have already left this milestone behind, still getting a medal will be historic for them.