Joker vs Giannis or Luka in the Group Stage? Latvia vs Spain 4.0? Where to watch the FIBA 2025 EuroBasket Draw

• → The draw takes place at the Riga Circus, Latvia, on March 27, 2025, at 14:00 CET (GMT +1)..
• → 24 participating nations to be placed in the four groups.
• → Eight teams, including four “partner” nations, already know their group placement.
• → Joker could face Luka or Giannis at the Group Stage.
• → Which group will become the infamous "Group of Death"?

 

FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Draw: All Eyes on Riga as Europe's Top Teams Learn Their Fate

It’s finally time: after the last qualification window in February, the draw for FIBA EuroBasket 2025—taking place from August 27 to September 14—is upon us. Hosted in Riga, Latvia, the draw will determine the group stage matchups, and there’s no shortage of potential fireworks.

Let’s take a look at what could unfold—and which possible matchups could light up the group stage.

Could Group C be the ultimate Group of death?

Not everyone can land in Pot 1, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greece being seeded in Pot 2 has left every top seed sweating. Drawing the Greek powerhouse early would be a nightmare scenario for many contenders.

Greece brings some of Europe’s most seasoned talent, despite somewhat underperforming at the 2024 Summer Olympics, where Franz Wagner and eventual champions Germany eliminated them in the quarterfinals.

As co-hosts, Cyprus (Seed 6) selected Greece as their partner nation, locking both into Group C. That opens the door for a potential Olympics rematch against Germany—or an even more mouthwatering all-NBA showdown between Giannis and Nikola Jokic's Serbia.

Between them, Jokic and Giannis own four NBA MVP titles. A head-to-head clash in the group stage would be a generational duel and the perfect appetizer for an action-packed FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

And things could get even more chaotic. Imagine Serbia, Greece, Italy, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Cyprus all drawn into Group C—a six-way (or well, maybe five-way) scrap for three advancing spots. A true dogfight. It might be a historic debut for Cyprus... but maybe not the welcome party they had hoped for.

Joker vs Luka in the Group Stage, is it possible?

Yes—and it would be electric.

With 2017 champions Slovenia seeded in Pot 2, there’s a realistic chance of a Group D featuring both Serbia and Slovenia. That means a Jokic vs. Luka Doncic battle, backed by their national teams and Balkan pride, playing out in the group stage.

Poland and Iceland are already locked into Group D, so it might not be the Group of Death, but it would surely be the most entertaining—especially as Jokic and Luka have yet to face off internationally.

Add Bosnia and Herzegovina to the mix, and you get a spicy Balkan showdown with serious stakes and even more serious bragging rights.

Revanche, Venganza, Revenge

Not only USA Basketball are entitled to plot their revenge after being upset by allegedly inferior teams. As Latvia has risen to international relevance under coach Luca Banchi, they’ve made some high-profile enemies.

In the 2023 FIBA World Cup group stage, Latvia stunned Tokyo silver medalists France with an 86-88 win powered by breakout performances from Arturs Zagars, a solid Roland Smits, and the ever-reliable Davis Bertans.

Just days later, they shocked Spain—coming back in the fourth quarter to send La Familia home. Latvia later spoiled Ricky Rubio’s return in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers and completed a dominant sweep with an 83-66 home win in Riga.

Now seeded in Pot 2, Latvia could see France or Spain drawn into their group again—offering a golden chance for revenge... or a repeat humiliation.

And what if top-seeded Germany lands in Group A too? That would change the narrative, as it would be Latvia’s opportunity to avenge their narrow 81-79 World Cup quarterfinal defeat in Manila.

One way or another, things in Group A could get very personal. And we’re all here for it.

Big Man Bonanza in Group B?

Modern basketball may live and die by the three-pointer, but nothing beats a heavyweight brawl in the paint.

Group B could deliver just that.

Lithuania, already seeded here, boasts a terrifying frontcourt in Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas. Now imagine they’re joined by Serbia and their twin towers: Nikola Jokic and Nikola Milutinov.

Add Montenegro, led by Nikola Vucevic (yes, another Nikola), and you’re suddenly looking at a three-way war for paint supremacy.

Türkiye’s Alperen Sengun could have made it a four-way battle royale, but Finland’s presence as co-hosts makes that pairing impossible.

Still—if this group forms, it's going to be a big man showdown like no other. Will it happen? Who knows. Are we hoping for it? Absolutely.

How to watch the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Draw Live

Watch the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Draw live on Courtside 1891 and find out which group your team will land in. Will old rivalries be reignited? Will the Group of Death materialize? One thing’s for sure: this might be the most stacked EuroBasket in history.

Get your popcorn—and your Courtside 1891 subscription—ready. Catch the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 and all competitions from the basketball summer with one of our basketball streaming plans.