The Daily Star Ireland
Germany continues to establish itself as a European basketball powerhouse entering EuroBasket 2025. Led by dynamic NBA stars Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner, Germany boasts championship pedigree—coming off a World Cup title and strong Olympics showing—that makes them a clear favorite in Group B, which also includes Finland, Lithuania, Montenegro, Sweden, and Great Britain.
Great Britain, meanwhile, is looking to make history. In their sixth EuroBasket appearance, the “Red, White & Blue” aim to break their own ceiling—they’ve never advanced past the group stage.
Team Breakdown
Germany enters the tournament with a potent mix of depth and cohesion. Their 12-man roster features NBA talents like Schröder and Wagner, plus experienced stalwarts such as Daniel Theis and Johannes Voigtmann. Under the guidance of coach Álex Mumbrú, Germany has looked sharp throughout tune-ups—clinching back-to-back wins over top-tier squads as they chase their first EuroBasket trophy since 1993.
Great Britain relies on collective effort rather than one superstar, anchored by seasoned EuroLeague-level guards like Myles Hesson and Luke Nelson, with emerging contributors such as Akwasi Yeboah. Despite a 1–4 pre-tournament record, they closed their warmup slate with a confidence-building win over Estonia.
Tactical Matchup & Game Flow
Germany will look to dominate early with disciplined execution, controlling the pace and using lengths—both physical and tactical—to their advantage. Their offensive strategy revolves around ball movement and exploiting spacing, while defensively they rely on staunch man-to-man pressure and help rotation.
Great Britain, conversely, will attempt to use scrappy defense to disrupt rhythm and generate fast-break opportunities. Their success hinges on pushing tempo and making open perimeter shots early.
Key Players to Watch
- Dennis Schröder (Germany): As captain and team engine, his scoring and tempo control will define the game.
- Franz Wagner (Germany): Versatile two-way forward who can stretch defenses and rebound.
- Myles Hesson (Great Britain): Veteran scorer expected to stabilize the offense.
- Akwasi Yeboah (Great Britain): Rising star who could provide an energetic boost if he heats up early.
Prediction: Final Scoreline
Projected Outcome: Germany 95 – Great Britain 72
Why: Germany’s superior talent, depth, and chemistry make them heavy favorites. Great Britain’s best hope lies in slowing the pace and maintaining early scoring consistency—but Germany’s star power and execution should prevail.
X-Factor: Germany’s ability to rotate seamlessly without a dip in intensity and maintain control beyond the first quarter.
