Preview: Finland or Greece? Who's making it onto the podium?

Finland and Greece will face off in the Third Place Game of FIBA EuroBasket 2025 after both teams suffered defeats in the Semi-Finals. For Finland, a win would mark their first-ever medal in the tournament, while Greece aims to end a 16-year medal drought and replicate their 2009 success.

Finland's journey has been historic, advancing to their first Quarter-Finals and now competing for a podium finish. Despite losing to Germany in the Semi-Finals, the team, led by Lauri Markkanen, demonstrated resilience with notable victories, including an upset over Serbia in the Round of 16. Greece, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, experienced a disappointing Semi-Final loss to Türkiye and will seek redemption in this match.

The game features a compelling matchup between NBA stars Lauri Markkanen and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who are among the top scorers of the tournament. Their head-to-head battle in the frontcourt could be decisive. Finland relies on team-oriented basketball and ranks third in assists, while both teams are strong in three-point shooting, making roster depth crucial.

Coaches from both sides emphasized the importance of the game, with Greece's Vassilis Spanoulis acknowledging Finland's energy and shooting prowess, and Finland's Lassi Tuovi expressing pride in the team's focus ahead of the match. Historically, Greece has played in six Third Place Games, winning only one in 2009, and this will be the first podium game since 2001 with both head coaches under 45 years old.

Lauri Markkanen is close to breaking his own scoring record for Finland, needing just 7 points to surpass his 2022 tally. The game will be available for streaming on Courtside 1891, though blackouts may apply in some regions, and viewers are advised to check local broadcasters for coverage details.