Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts to Greece’s EuroBasket bronze

Sep 14, 2025 7:36 PM

Relief, joy, and pride were the dominant emotions for Giannis Antetokounmpo after leading Greece to third place at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, ending a long medal drought for his country. For the Milwaukee Bucks superstar, it represented what he described as the greatest achievement of his career as a sportsman.

“We did it, this is probably the greatest accomplishment I have ever accomplished as an athlete,” he said after Greece’s narrow 92-89 victory over Finland in the third-place game.

Antetokounmpo emphasized the importance of representing his nation, saying, “I know I have won an NBA championship, but there is no feeling like representing your national team and representing 12 million people that breathed and lived this national team.”

He delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 30 points with 17 rebounds and 6 assists in the win. This success came in his ninth competition representing Greece, after years of falling short of international medals despite his NBA achievements, including the 2021 NBA championship with the Bucks.

“This is not better than the championship I won with the Bucks. Winning a championship for an NBA club is a huge accomplishment and Milwaukee is a great city. But it is 500 or 600 thousand people. But when you are able to make 12 million Greeks happy, and you are able to inspire the next generation – like (the 2005 EuroBasket winners) inspired us from the previous generation in 1987 that inspired them. This is the biggest thing ever,” he said.

He reflected on the impact of this achievement for young Greek fans: “There’s a kid right now watching this on TV who is going to be very very happy that maybe one day that he can win a medal with the national team.”

The victory followed a heavy 94-68 semi-final loss to Türkiye. Antetokounmpo admitted that the disappointment fueled his motivation for the third-place game, especially because doubters questioned him.

“I love that because it hits on my ego. Whenever my legacy is on the line I always respond. I always find a way to get the job done. I felt for a day and half like my legacy was on the line and I love that feeling. I love when I’m down and people doubt me. And people were doubting me. And today I won a medal,” he said.

This medal finally marked a breakthrough in his EuroBasket career, after finishing fifth in both 2015 and 2022. Antetokounmpo and Greece also had mixed results at previous FIBA World Cups, finishing ninth in 2014, 11th in 2019, and missing the 2023 tournament.

Last summer, he helped Greece qualify for the 2024 Olympics by winning the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, though the team fell to Germany in the quarter-finals, finishing eighth.

For Giannis, EuroBasket 2025 was also a reminder of why he loves playing basketball: “Every time I play with the national team I fall in love with the game more. I wish we were still playing I wish we played next summer. I just love putting on this jersey. I love representing the country. It’s something that I am always excited to do.”

With this bronze medal, Giannis Antetokounmpo can now proudly say he has succeeded on the EuroBasket podium, adding a historic international accomplishment to his legendary NBA career.