Photo: FIBA

Germany are closing in on history at FIBA EuroBasket 2025. With their semifinal berth secured, the reigning world champions are now just two wins away from capturing their second continental crown – and their first since 1993.

Even more, a title in Riga would put them in one of basketball’s most exclusive clubs: nations that have held the FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket titles at the same time.

The 2023 world champions could become only the fourth team to achieve this rare “double.” The Soviet Union were the first to do it in 1967, repeating the feat in 1982.

Yugoslavia managed it an astonishing four times between 1977 and 2002, while Spain most recently joined the list by winning the World Cup in 2019 and EuroBasket in 2022.

Germany’s consistency has been a cornerstone of their success. Nine players from the Manila 2023 championship roster are back, including captain Dennis Schroder and young star Franz Wagner.

Isaac Bonga, Daniel Theis, Andreas Obst, Johannes Thiemann, Maodo Lo, and Justus Hollatz also return, while Johannes Voigtmann started the tournament but was ruled out due to injury. Newcomers Tristan Da Silva, Oscar Da Silva, and Leon Kratzer round out the team.

“It’s a group that knows how to win together,” noted observers, highlighting the importance of continuity in chasing both trophies.

Looking back at history, each previous “double-holder” featured generational talent. Spain leaned on Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol, and later Willy Hernangomez during their run.

Yugoslavia thrived with legends like Dejan Bodiroga, Peja Stojakovic, Drazen Petrovic, and Vlade Divac across different eras. The Soviet Union had icons such as Valdis Valters, Anatoli Myshkin, and a young Arvydas Sabonis.

Germany now has a chance to follow in those footsteps. As Schroder leads a balanced squad into the semifinals, the mission is clear: two more victories would not only secure their second EuroBasket title, but also immortalize this team among the greatest in basketball history.

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