Will Giannis Antetokounmpo finally lead Greece to the semifinals?

Giannis Antetokounmpo (7’0″, 30) is likely experiencing one of his last major tournaments with the national team. At EuroBasket 2025, the two-time NBA MVP is averaging 30 points and 9.8 rebounds, leading Greece to a quarterfinal matchup against Lithuania. But despite his dominance, the Athens native has never reached a semifinal with his country. Since 2014, all his international campaigns have ended before the final four, often in frustration.

Looking back at an unfinished international journey

The early campaigns

First discovered with the national team at the 2014 World Cup (averaging 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds), Giannis Antetokounmpo was eliminated in the round of 16 against Serbia (72-90). The following year, at EuroBasket 2015, he impressed with three double-doubles, including 17 rebounds against Spain in the quarters, but Greece fell in Lille to the eventual champions.

Injuries and disappointments

In 2016, failure at the OQT against Croatia denied Greece an Olympic spot. EuroBasket 2017 will be remembered for his forced withdrawal, with the Greek federation accusing Milwaukee of holding back their player due to injury. The 2019 World Cup saw another premature exit in the second round, despite Giannis’s presence.

The 2022 peak and Paris 2024

At EuroBasket 2022, he nearly achieved the feat: 29.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, but elimination in quarters against Germany (96-107). In summer 2023, he missed the World Cup. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, designated as Greece’s flag bearer after eliminating Luka Doncic’s Slovenia in the OQT, he fell again in quarters against Germany at Bercy.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (37 PTS, 10 REB) dominates as Greece 🇬🇷 clinch their spot in the #EuroBasket Quarter-Finals! pic.twitter.com/69ZZUg7DA0

— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 7, 2025

« The plan is Giannis »

Appointed head coach in 2025, Vassilis Spanoulis simply summarized the game philosophy: « On offense, we give the ball to Giannis and space the floor. It’s as simple as that, » explains the Monaco coach. The Greek Freak draws attention, and his teammates punish when defenses collapse on him.

His brother Thanasis insists: « We will play hard and follow the plan. » Meanwhile, Giannoulis Larentzakis emphasizes the importance of this quarter against Lithuania: « It would be huge for our country to reach the final four. » It would be a first for Greek basketball since EuroBasket 2009 in Poland.

Lithuania missing key players

Without Rokas Jokubaitis (injured in first round) and Domantas Sabonis (withdrew), Lithuania lacks all its weapons. Their general manager, Linas Kleiza, former Olympiacos player, acknowledges the challenge: « How to stop Giannis? We just hope he’ll have a bad game, that’s all we can hope for, » he told EuroHoops.

An admission of powerlessness that illustrates the physical and athletic challenge Antetokounmpo represents. At 30, he has never seemed closer to breaking through this glass ceiling.