Photo: FIBA

Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s journey back to the floor was one of the most emotional storylines in Greece’s opening win at EuroBasket 2025.

A late addition to the squad after joining training camp only weeks before, the 33-year-old forward not only secured a place on the final roster but also made a meaningful impact in his first official game since suffering a torn Achilles tendon over a year ago.

Against Italy, he scored six points, including a crucial three-pointer in the closing stages, a moment that underlined his determination to return to the national team spotlight.

“I missed this a lot. I am grateful. This is why I give it my all. You won’t be playing forever, and I don’t know another way. This is the way I play,” he said, describing the emotions of wearing the Greece jersey again and bringing his trademark intensity to the court.

For Thanasis, the victory was more than just a winning debut to the campaign – it was a test against a familiar opponent. Only days earlier, Greece had faced Italy in a preparation game, and the rematch carried new challenges.

“Every opener is complicated, especially when you faced the specific opponent eight days ago,” he explained, noting Italy’s strength. “An excellent team. They have also since added [Danilo] Gallinari, disrupting our initial scouting report. Every game will be different, and we will need to find the correct approach. Every time, we will need to win differently.”

Greek head coach Vassilis Spanoulis reflected on the unusual path that brought Thanasis back into the squad after missing initial call-ups. For the rookie selector, it was a calculated risk that paid off.

“He had a serious injury before 15 months, but he is an incredible athlete,” Spanoulis said. “He’s a guy that gives everything to the team. We had a conversation before I called him to the national team. And I told him, ‘It’s up to you. You can stay one day, five days, or you can make the team.’ And I added, ‘I don’t make any favors.’ He was there. He fought. He gave us great energy, great passion, he is a good teammate, he is vocal, and he’s a guy that plays to win without caring about stats.”

The matchup in Limassol carried even more meaning for Thanasis, as he once again took the floor alongside his brothers Giannis and Kostas in front of a packed Spyros Kyprianou Arena. It was a continuation of a long international journey with the Greek national team, now made sweeter by a family bond.

“Playing with all these guys, even more with my brothers, it’s like a dream,” he admitted with a smile.

With Greece now at 1-0 in Group C, the attention quickly shifts to the second game of the preliminary round, a clash with hosts Cyprus. For Thanasis, however, simply being back on the floor in a meaningful contest already feels like a victory in itself.

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