Germany overcame Slovenia to reach the EuroBasket 2025 Semi-Finals against Finland, a rematch from the Group Phase. Speaking in the post-game mixed zone, Isaac Bonga reflected on the upcoming challenge.
“It’s going to be a different team,” he noted, recalling their 30-point (91-61) Group Phase victory.
“I think from history, from experience, I can just say it’s going to be a very tough game, probably it’s gonna be like this game right here, so we are gonna recover and then gotta be ready for Finland,” Bonga added.
On Lauri Markkanen’s impact for Lassi Tuovi’s Finland, the Partizan Belgrade forward emphasized his importance. “I know he’s definitely going to show character when you start playing,” he said.
Bonga also discussed the challenge of defending Luka Doncic against Slovenia. “Regardless of losing weight or not, I think we all know what type of player he is,” he explained.
“His history shows what he’s able to do. Today, he kind of showed it again, but I’m just happy that we won this game. [Defending him in the NBA and FIBA] is kind of the same. This is why he’s special. This is why he is who he is,” Bonga continued about Slovenia’s star, who scored 39 points.
Looking at the tournament as a whole, the 25-year-old highlighted its competitiveness.
“Just from watching the Quarter-Finals, you just see in every single game that it doesn’t matter what team you play, it’s going to be a tough game,” he said.
“Regardless of whether you’ve qualified for the knockout stage with 1st place, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place, it’s gonna be tough. So I think every single team has got to be locked in,” Bonga concluded, underlining the intensity every team faces in EuroBasket 2025.
Isaac Bonga on the rematch with Finland: "It's gonna be a different team"#Eurobasket https://t.co/tyR8YHie7q
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) September 11, 2025
