Latvia and Lithuania are headed to the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Round of 16, while Germany, Serbia, and Turkey are inching closer to sweeping their respective group-stage campaigns.
Kristaps Porzingis scored 21 points, including five three-pointers, as host Latvia secured its spot in the next round with a 78-62 win over Portugal.
It was the first time since 2017 that Latvia reached the knockout stage, where it made the semifinals eight years ago. Latvia improved to 2-2 in Group A, securing a top-four spot alongside unbeaten Turkey and Serbia, both 4-0 at this point.
Despite the loss, Portugal still has a chance to advance but must win against Estonia in its final group-stage game. The winner of that matchup will secure the final knockout-round spot in the group.
Meanwhile, Lithuania booked its spot in the Round of 16 after handing Lauri Markkanen and Finland their first loss of the tournament with a tight 81-78 victory.
Rokas Jokubaitis nearly recorded a double-double, finishing with 16 points and nine assists, while Azuolas Tubelis added 12 points and 11 rebounds. Marek Blazevic chipped in with 14 points.
Both teams are now tied at 3-1 in Group B, behind leaders Germany (4-0). Lithuania will face Sweden in its final group game, while Finland will meet world champions Germany in a must-see clash.
Tristan Da Silva led a balanced attack for Germany with 25 points as the Germans stayed unbeaten at 4-0 after crushing Great Britain, 120-57.
Serbia also won its fourth straight game, defeating Czechia 82-60 and eliminating them from the competition.
Aleksa Avramovic led Serbia with 14 points, while Filip Petrusev added 13 points and Nikola Milutinov contributed 12.
Despite Nikola Jokic scoring just six points, Serbia surged to a dominant 27-5 lead in the first quarter and cruised to victory. The win came after Serbia announced that captain Bogdan Bogdanovic will miss the remainder of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.
Elsewhere, Alperen Sengun delivered another stellar performance in Turkey’s 84-64 rout of Estonia.
The Houston Rockets big man recorded 21 points, eight rebounds, and five assists as the Turkish squad secured four wins in a single EuroBasket tournament for the first time since 2009.
Finally, Nikola Vucevic scored 23 points to lead Montenegro to a crucial 87-81 victory over Sweden in Group B play.
The Chicago Bulls big man also grabbed 15 rebounds and recorded four assists as Montenegro kept its hopes of reaching the Round of 16 alive. To qualify for the knockout rounds, they must defeat Great Britain in their final group-stage game.
