The impossible has become reality. Bosnia and Herzegovina, a team that seemed lightyears behind the top contenders at EuroBasket 2025, has toppled the all-powerful Greece. However, they did so without facing Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out due to knee discomfort and who will return to action for the last Group C game against Spain, where first place ahead of the Round of 16 may be on the line.
Nurkic dominates without Giannis
Sometimes, when a good player ends up on a team with limited aspirations, people start to lose sight of how skilled he really is. That’s been the case with Jusuf Nurkic, who hasn’t truly shined in the NBA but, back in Europe, is showing he can dominate thanks to his size and skill against the continent’s best.
Without having to face a physical phenomenon like Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bosnian big man delivered an excellent performance: a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, plus 3 assists and 3 steals. With him leading the way, the Balkan squad not only put the Greeks on their heels for long stretches, but also held on until securing a win that throws the door wide open for them to reach the Round of 16.
Nurkic was terrific, but he wasn’t alone. He had outstanding help from John Robertson, who scored 18 points, and Edin Atic, who added 15 more.
Greece, off track and without answers
Even without Giannis Antetokounmpo on the floor, the Greeks were strong favorites to take this one, which they demonstrated by ending the first quarter ahead by six points (25–19). They looked like they had taken the first step toward victory, but the next 20 minutes were a completely different story.
Bosnia stuck to its offensive approach, yet elevated its defense to hold Spanoulis’s team to 13 points in the second quarter and 14 in the third—barely more than a point per minute. That effort let them start the final period with a nine-point cushion and seal a historic 80–77 win. Not even the 15 points from Kostas Sloukas or Tyler Dorsey’s 14 could steer Greece clear of disaster.
(Photo by FIBA Europe)
