RIGA, Latvia (AP) — Luka Dončić scored 39 points, but Slovenia fell short, losing 99-91 to Germany in a thrilling EuroBasket quarterfinal on Wednesday.
For Germany, Orlando Magic’s Franz Wagner contributed 23 points, while captain Dennis Schröder added 20 points and 7 assists. The win sends Germany to face Finland in the semifinals on Friday.
A key moment came when Germany’s Andreas Obst hit a 3-pointer that completed a 12-0 run, putting the World Cup champions ahead 77-74 early in the fourth quarter.
Slovenia briefly took the lead 86-85 with a Dončić 3-pointer at 4:12 remaining. However, Schröder sank his only 3-pointer of the game — missing eight other attempts — to put Germany ahead 88-86, and Germany held on to win the match.
Luka Dončić received a technical foul early in the game and scored 22 points by halftime, with Slovenia leading 51-45. He picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter but continued scoring, though he seemed cautious to avoid fouling out.
The Los Angeles Lakers star finished with at least 30 points for the fifth time in the tournament, adding 10 rebounds and seven assists. He made 5 of 16 three-pointers.
For Germany, Franz Wagner was excellent from the free-throw line, hitting 13 of 14 attempts as the team aims for its second European Championship title, the first being in 1993.
Slovenia seemed in control until Tristan Da Silva made a half-court three-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer, cutting Slovenia’s lead to just four points.
The EuroBasket final will take place on Sunday in Riga, Latvia, which has hosted all the knockout matches.
Finland Beats Georgia to Reach EuroBasket Semifinals
Earlier, Finland held off a late fightback from Georgia to win 93-79 and reach the EuroBasket semifinals for the first time. Mikael Jantunen led Finland with 19 points, while Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen added 17 points and six rebounds.
Jantunen praised the team’s unity, saying, “It’s been the same group for a long time. It’s a very tight group, like coming back and playing with your friends. That’s the kind of basketball culture in Finland.”
Finland also showed their bench strength, scoring 44 points compared to just four from Georgia’s substitutes. The Finns had built a 20-point lead by the third quarter, but Georgia cut it to six with less than eight minutes left in the fourth. Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 22 points for Georgia.
Finland had started strong, doubling up Georgia 30-15 early in the second quarter thanks to sharp three-point shooting. Young Finnish forward Miikka Muurinen, an 18-year-old projected as a potential NBA first-round pick in 2027, contributed seven points off the bench.
This marked Georgia’s first quarterfinal appearance as an independent nation. They had previously beaten Olympic silver medalist France in the round of 16 and defeated defending EuroBasket champion Spain in the group stage.
Greece and Turkey Set for EuroBasket Semifinal Clash
In the other EuroBasket semifinal on Friday, Greece will play against Turkey. Both teams had won their quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Greece defeated Lithuania 87-76, with Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 29 points. Turkey beat Poland 91-77, thanks to a triple-double performance by Alperen Sengun, keeping their unbeaten record intact.
FAQ
Who won the EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinal match between Germany and Slovenia?
Germany won the match 99-91 against Slovenia.
How many points did Luka Dončić score in the game?
Luka Dončić scored 39 points for Slovenia.
Who were the key performers for Germany?
Franz Wagner scored 23 points, and Dennis Schröder added 20 points along with 7 assists.
What was the key moment that helped Germany take the lead?
Andreas Obst’s 3-pointer capped a 12-0 run, giving Germany a 77-74 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Did Dončić face any challenges during the match?
Yes, Dončić received a technical foul early and picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter, which made him cautious.
