The Daily Star Ireland
Date: September 3, 2025
Location: Nokia Arena, Tampere, Finland
Competition: EuroBasket 2025 – Group B
Tip-Off: TBD (Group Phase)
Two teams with very different expectations collide as Montenegro faces Great Britain in this Group B fixture at EuroBasket 2025. Montenegro enters with ambitions of reaching the knockout rounds thanks to NBA talent and size in the paint, while Great Britain seeks to prove itself with disciplined team basketball and a chip on their shoulder.
Montenegro Preview
Montenegro brings a solid combination of top-level experience and physicality, with Nikola Vučević as the marquee name anchoring both ends of the floor. The team thrives on structured sets through the post, high-low action, and strong rebounding presence. Coach Boško Radović has instilled a confident half-court identity, and the squad is known for executing under pressure and capitalizing on mismatches.
Team Identity:
- Offense: Built around interior scoring and mid-range pick-and-pop. Vučević is the focal point in the half-court with floor spacing from the wings.
- Defense: Strong rebounding unit with disciplined help-side defense. Their size advantage often leads to dominance on the boards.
- Rotation Strength: Montenegro has a core group of veterans who understand their roles, supported by emerging talents capable of swinging momentum off the bench.
Strengths:
- Frontcourt scoring and rebounding
- Physical defense
- Tournament experience
Weaknesses:
- Lack of elite shot creation on the perimeter
- Vulnerable in transition if guards are pressed
Great Britain Preview
Great Britain enters the tournament with limited expectations but a resilient group identity. Without any high-profile NBA representation, they’ll lean on structured team play, set defenses, and hustle. Guard play and outside shooting will be critical for GB to stay competitive against Montenegro’s physical edge.
Team Identity:
- Offense: Focused on motion sets and perimeter shooting. Success depends on ball movement and creating quality looks from deep.
- Defense: Hard-nosed, compact man-to-man. They’ll collapse in the paint to force Montenegro to hit outside shots.
- Rotation: Shorter bench in terms of international experience. Their starting unit will need to carry heavy minutes.
Strengths:
- Grit and team defense
- Low turnover rate
- Underdog mentality
Weaknesses:
- Undersized frontcourt
- Inconsistent scoring
- Struggles against high-level bigs
Key Matchups
- Vučević vs. GB interior defense: If Montenegro’s big man gets going early, Great Britain may have to double, which could open up Montenegro’s wings for clean looks.
- Guard battle: GB’s guards must control tempo and limit turnovers to prevent Montenegro from dictating pace.
- Rebounding war: Montenegro has a clear edge on the glass—controlling second-chance opportunities may be the deciding factor.
Prediction
Montenegro’s interior strength, experience, and tactical clarity should prove too much for Great Britain to overcome, especially over 40 minutes. Expect the game to remain close in the first half, with Montenegro pulling away late as their size and shot-making wear GB down.
Predicted Final Score:
Montenegro 82 – Great Britain 68
Tactical X-Factor: Dominance on the boards—Montenegro’s rebounding could lead to a double-digit swing in second-chance points.
