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EuroBasket 2025 showdown: Türkiye vs Serbia—Who will top Group A?

Cedi Osman of Turkiye gestures during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A basketball match between Turkiye and Estonia in Riga, Latvia, September 01, 2025. (AA Photo)
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Cedi Osman of Turkiye gestures during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A basketball match between Turkiye and Estonia in Riga, Latvia, September 01, 2025. (AA Photo)
September 03, 2025 01:33 PM GMT+03:00

Türkiye’s national men’s basketball team has been storming through EuroBasket 2025, winning all four of their Group A matches and securing a spot in the Round of 16.

After an 84-64 victory over Estonia, the 12 Giant Men now have their eyes set on clinching the group’s top spot.

Their upcoming clash on Wednesday at 9:15 p.m. (GMT +3) with Serbia will not only determine the group rankings but also provide a morale boost heading into the knockout stage.

Under head coach Ergin Ataman, stars like Alperen Sengun, Ercan Osmani, and Adem Bona are determined to make history, promising fans an unmissable showdown.

Alperen Sengun of Türkiye celebrates during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A basketball match between Türkiye and Portugal in Riga, Latvia, August 30, 2025. (AA Photo)
Alperen Sengun of Türkiye celebrates during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A basketball match between Türkiye and Portugal in Riga, Latvia, August 30, 2025. (AA Photo)

Türkiye: Youth, firepower and depth

Türkiye has impressed with wins over Latvia, Czechia, Portugal, and Estonia. Alperen Sengun has been phenomenal, averaging 20 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 6.5 AP.

Shane Larkin orchestrates the offense, while Cedi Osman, Ercan Osmani, and Furkan Korkmaz provide scoring and defensive versatility.

Serbia’s Nikola Jokic gestures during the Group A third match of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 between Serbia and Estonia at Riga Arena, Riga, Latvia., August 27, 2025. (AA Photo)
Serbia’s Nikola Jokic gestures during the Group A third match of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 between Serbia and Estonia at Riga Arena, Riga, Latvia., August 27, 2025. (AA Photo)

Serbia: Experience and stars

Serbia counters with a star-studded roster, including NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Vasilije Micic. Jokic averages 19.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 4.5 APG, while Nikola Jovic adds 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Serbia’s balanced inside-out offense and court vision make them a formidable challenge.

Bogdan Bogdanovic of Serbia in action during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A basketball match between Portugal and Serbia at Riga Arena in Riga, Latvia, August 29, 2025. (AA Photo)
Bogdan Bogdanovic of Serbia in action during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A basketball match between Portugal and Serbia at Riga Arena in Riga, Latvia, August 29, 2025. (AA Photo)

Injury updates

  • Serbia: Bogdan Bogdanovic is out due to an injury sustained vs Portugal, limiting Serbia’s outside scoring options.
  • Türkiye: All main players are healthy; the depth rotation includes promising minutes from Sehmus Hazer, Onuralp Bitim, and Adem Bona.

Coaches’ insights:

  • Ergin Ataman (Türkiye): “This match is more than leadership; it’s a test of character.”
  • Igor Kokoskov (Serbia): “Jokic is experienced, but Türkiye’s speed and energy will challenge us.”
  • Dusan Alimpijevic (Besiktas): Türkiye finally has a balanced and talented squad. Seven or eight players know exactly what their role is.”
Adem Bona of Türkiye looks on during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A 1st week match between Latvia and Türkiye, Riga, Latvia, August 27, 2025. (AA Photo)
Adem Bona of Türkiye looks on during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A 1st week match between Latvia and Türkiye, Riga, Latvia, August 27, 2025. (AA Photo)

Adem Bona’s tactical insight

In an Aug. 30 interview, young star Adem Bona revealed Türkiye has a special plan for Nikola Jokic: “We have strategies in place to challenge Jokic’s passing lanes and limit his impact in the paint.” Bona’s athleticism and physical presence are expected to disrupt Serbia’s inside game.

Players of Türkiye celebrate after the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A basketball match between Türkiye and Czechia at Riga Arena in Riga, Latvia, August 29, 2025. (AA Photo)
Players of Türkiye celebrate after the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A basketball match between Türkiye and Czechia at Riga Arena in Riga, Latvia, August 29, 2025. (AA Photo)

Türkiye – Key stats (EuroBasket 2025, 4 Games)

PlayerPPGRPGAPGFG%2PT%3PT%FT%
Alperen Sengun20.08.86.568.173.233.382.4
Shane Larkin18.54.07.847.870.030.871.4
Cedi Osman14.85.01.551.453.850.070.0
Ercan Osmani11.54.51.363.661.566.783.3
Adem Bona9.33.00.372.272.20.050.0
Furkan Korkmaz9.02.31.533.333.333.388.9
Serbia's Nikola Jokic competes during the Group A third match of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 between Serbia and Estonia at Riga Arena, Riga, Latvia, August 27, 2025. (AA Photo)
Serbia's Nikola Jokic competes during the Group A third match of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 between Serbia and Estonia at Riga Arena, Riga, Latvia, August 27, 2025. (AA Photo)

Serbia – Key stats (EuroBasket 2025, 4 Games)

PlayerPPGRPGAPGFG%2PT%3PT%FT%
Nikola Jokic19.89.34.566.774.328.691.3
Nikola Jovic11.84.82.366.773.355.6100
Marko Guduric5.34.03.029.245.515.483.3
Filip Petrusev9.83.30.563.663.266.769.2
Aleksa Avramovic10.01.83.848.154.543.8100

Tactical keys:

  • Paint Battle: Sengun vs Jokic
  • Tempo & Transition: Türkiye’s speed vs Serbia’s set plays
  • Bench Contributions: Players like Onuralp Bitim and Sehmus Hazer could swing momentum

Türkiye has won 2 of 7 meetings with Serbia; the last five official matches went to Serbia. Tonight offers Türkiye a chance to reverse the trend and claim Group A supremacy.

What’s at stake

  • Unbeaten group leader finishes
  • Favorable Round of 16 matchup
  • Psychological momentum for the remainder of the tournament
September 03, 2025 01:33 PM GMT+03:00
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