Patryk Stachowiak
Georgia has pulled off a sensational upset at EuroBasket 2025 — sending tournament heavyweights France packing with a decisive 80:70 victory in Riga. This Round of 16 triumph secures Georgia’s place among the competition’s top eight for the first time in history.
Fired Up from the Tip-Off
Head coach Aleksandar Džikić set the tone early with a game plan that emphasized composure and defensive discipline. Tornike Shengelia took charge in the opening minutes, finding his rhythm from mid-range and beyond the arc. By halftime, Georgia held a narrow lead, up 38:37, signaling a tightly contested battle.
Momentum Shift: Baldwin Takes Over
As the third quarter neared its end, Georgia’s momentum hinged on a single moment. Kamar Baldwin stepped up, drilling a critical three-pointer with 90 seconds left to push the lead to six. That shot flipped the energy inside the Riga Arena. Georgia carried a 58:54 lead into the final quarter and immediately extended it to nine thanks to fast-paced, efficient possessions.
Georgia. Source: fiba.basketball
France Rallies, Georgia Holds Nerve
France, unwilling to bow out quietly, clawed back into the contest, leveling the score at 68:68 in the dying minutes. But Georgia’s leaders didn’t flinch. Shengelia responded instantly with a clutch three-pointer, and Baldwin iced the game from the line after drawing a foul on a deep attempt. With Georgia back up by six, France’s offensive options dried up — and the door slammed shut on their EuroBasket campaign.
Shengelia & Baldwin: A Duo on Fire
The numbers tell the story. Both Shengelia and Baldwin finished with 24 points, each hitting three triples. Their offensive chemistry and late-game poise dismantled a French side that struggled to contain Georgia’s versatile attack. On the other end, Sylvain Francisco led France with 14 points — but his efforts fell short amid poor execution in crunch time.
Quarterfinal Clash: Georgia vs Finland
Georgia’s historic run continues as they now prepare for a high-stakes quarterfinal showdown against Finland. Can the Džikić-led squad ride this momentum even further? Bettors and fans alike will be watching closely.
Two more Round of 16 clashes are still to come today — most notably Slovenia vs Italy at 17:30 — and if this Georgia-France clash is any indication, surprises may be just getting started.
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