Limassol, Cyprus – The opening night of EuroBasket 2025 delivered a heavyweight clash between Greece and Italy, a fixture that promised fireworks and delivered a singular, dominant performance. While Italy`s Azzurri showed flashes of grit, they ultimately found themselves grappling with an unstoppable force: Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose overwhelming presence secured a 75-66 victory for Greece.
Giannis Antetokounmpo in action against Italy, dominating the game.
The Giannis Gravitational Pull
From the moment the tip-off ball ascended, it was clear this game would orbit around one man. Giannis Antetokounmpo, aptly nicknamed “The Greek Freak,” wasn`t just playing basketball; he was orchestrating a one-man symphony of athleticism and skill. He tore through Italy`s defense like a cyclone, a volcano erupting under the basket, tormenting the Italian bigs with every drive and rebound. His final tally of 31 points doesn`t merely tell the story; it’s a monument to his unyielding will.
Watching Antetokounmpo on a night like this often feels less like a competitive sport and more like a tactical exercise in futility for the opposition. How do you stop a player who combines the speed of a guard with the power of a center, all wrapped in a frame that seems to defy the laws of physics? Italy tried, they truly did, but slowing an express train with a feather proved to be an impossible task.
Italy`s Courageous Efforts and Lingering Questions
Despite the overwhelming force of Giannis, Italy, under Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco, certainly wasn`t without their moments of defiance. Captain Nicolò Melli was a pillar of indomitable spirit, leading the team with 15 points and embodying the fight the Azzurri are known for. Mouhamet Diouf Niang added an energetic 11 points, providing crucial athleticism and hustle, particularly on the offensive glass, proving that even in adversity, some bright spots emerged from the Italian bench.
Yet, the statistics painted a stark picture of Italy`s struggles. Simone Fontecchio, usually a reliable scorer, endured a night he`d rather forget, managing only 4 points on a woeful 1-of-11 shooting from the field. More critically, Italy`s three-point shooting deserted them, connecting on just 7 of 27 attempts (a paltry 25.9%). In modern basketball, going cold from deep against a team with an interior force like Giannis is a recipe for disaster. The initial quarters, especially the first and third, saw Greece build crucial leads, establishing a rhythm that Italy struggled to disrupt.
Nicolò Melli (C) battling for position against Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
The Flow of the Game: A Battle of Wills
The first quarter quickly became the Giannis show, as he powered Greece to an early 22-12 lead, showcasing a mix of raw power and surprising finesse. Italy, despite Melli`s early efforts and Niang`s athleticism, looked disjointed, struggling with turnovers and a general lack of offensive rhythm. However, the Azzurri found a renewed sense of purpose in the second quarter, managing to trim the deficit to a manageable four points (36-32) by halftime, suggesting a potential comeback was brewing.
The third period, unfortunately for Italy, mirrored their slow start to the game. Fontecchio remained “bewitched” by the rim, and Greece, even during their own occasional lapses, consistently capitalized on second-chance opportunities and trips to the free-throw line. Thanasis Antetokounmpo`s consecutive offensive rebounds perfectly encapsulated Greece`s relentless effort, pushing their lead to nine. While Niang provided a spectacular dunk to momentarily ignite the Italian bench, it wasn`t enough to stem the Greek tide, who ended the third up 56-45.
In the final quarter, Greece extended their advantage to 14 points, leaving Italy searching for answers. A late surge, including a much-needed three-pointer from Fontecchio and a score from Spagnolo that cut the lead to five (71-66) with just 49 seconds left, offered a glimmer of hope. But as the clock dwindled, it became clear that the valiant effort was simply “too little, too late.”
The Road Ahead: A Crucial Test Against Georgia
This EuroBasket debut was not the dream start Italy had envisioned, especially given their aspirations in a highly competitive group. The loss to Greece opens up immediate questions for Coach Pozzecco regarding offensive consistency and defensive intensity, particularly in containing dominant individual talents. However, the tournament is a marathon, not a sprint.
Their next opponent, Georgia, already delivered a shock by defeating Spain in their opener, indicating they are a formidable force. For Italy, this upcoming fixture is no mere “thermometer test”; it is a crucial pivot point, demanding a swift and decisive turnaround. The Azzurri will need to channel their frustration into a cohesive, energized performance if they are to reignite their continental campaign. The European dream for Italy is far from over, but the path ahead just got considerably steeper.
