EuroBasket 2025: Georgia Defeats France 80-70 in Round of 16

Georgia stuns France, 80-70 victory in EuroBasket 2025

EuroBasket 2025 Round of 16: Georgia's Tornike Shengelia and Kamar Baldwin lead the charge in their 80-70 win against France. Check out the match highlights and stats.

France mounted a strong comeback, with their defense holding up well despite struggling with their shooting...

Georgia stunned France with an 80-70 victory in the EuroBasket Last 16 match, securing a spot in the quarterfinals for the first time in the country's basketball history. This seismic upset marked a significant milestone for Aleksandar Dzikic's team, who controlled the game for the most part and delivered the decisive blow in the final two minutes.

The French team intensified their defense and offense in the second quarter, quickly tying the game at 26-26 with two consecutive baskets. However, Georgia regained their momentum, led by Sandro Mamukelashvili's dominant performance, including a crucial three-pointer that restored their 7-point lead at 33-26. Mamukelashvili's double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) was instrumental in Georgia's ability to maintain control of the game.

France's Fightback Falls Short

France mounted a strong comeback, with their defense holding up well despite struggling with their shooting. They managed to take the lead for the first time at 35-33, but Georgia responded promptly. Kamar Baldwin scored crucial baskets, giving Georgia a three-point lead, and the team went into halftime with a narrow 38-37 advantage. Tornike Shengelia's impressive performance continued to be a key factor in Georgia's success.

After the break, France implemented a strategic change, replacing Theo Maledon with Sylvain Francisco in an attempt to dominate the Georgian defense. This tactical move paid off initially, causing some disruption to Georgia's rhythm. However, the turning point came when Tornike Shengelia, who had been shooting flawlessly in the first half, missed his first free throw. This subtle shift in momentum allowed Georgia to regroup and maintain their narrow lead.

Georgia's physical play and defensive intensity paid off, allowing them to regain control of the game. Sandro Mamukelashvili's three-pointer restored Georgia's 4-point lead at 44-40. The Georgians' trio of Kamar Baldwin, Tornike Shengelia, and Mamukelashvili proved formidable, giving Georgia a 58-54 advantage heading into the final quarter.

Georgia stepped on the gas in the fourth quarter, pulling away from France to secure a stunning 80-70 victory. The team's defensive strategy, based on contact and rebounding, allowed them to dictate the pace of the game and ultimately secure a historic win.

SAKARTVELO ADVANCE TO THE #EUROBASKET QUARTER-FINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY 🇬🇪 pic.twitter.com/jhge0hL5tK

— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 7, 2025

The fourth quarter began with Georgia maintaining their lead, at one point extending it to nine points. However, France refused to give up and attempted a comeback. Coach Fauthoux made strategic changes, fielding a lineup of Francisco, Maledon, Yabusele, Okobo, and Jaiteh, which gradually whittled down Georgia's lead. France managed to tie the game at 68-68 with three minutes remaining.

Georgia's resilience proved decisive, as they responded promptly to France's surge. Tornike Shengelia, the game's star, hit a devastating three-pointer that allowed Georgia to regain control of the final minutes. This crucial shot gave Georgia the breathing room they needed to secure an 80-70 victory and eliminate France from the tournament.

Georgia's Dominant Performance

Tornike Shengelia and Kamar Baldwin led the charge, each scoring 24 points to propel Georgia to victory.

Shengelia showcased his athleticism and raw power, pressuring France's inexperienced defense and ending with 8 rebounds.

Baldwin was instrumental in sealing the win, hitting crucial free throws and drawing fouls on deep attempts.

France's Struggles

• Despite a late surge, France's wastefulness from three-point range proved costly, making only 6 out of 36 shots.

• Guerschon Yabusele was restricted to 12 points, and Zaccharie Risacher managed just 7 points.

• Sylvain Francisco led France with 14 points but couldn't stem the tide of Georgia's momentum.

Georgia dominated the first quarter with a physical performance, spearheaded by Tornike Shengelia, who scored 9 points in just 5 minutes. Shengelia showcased his skills under the basket, from mid-range, and beyond the arc, giving Georgia an early 16-9 lead. Kamar Baldwin joined forces with Shengelia, contributing significantly to Georgia's 26-22 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Key Player Performances:

Tornike Shengelia: Led Georgia with 24 points and 8 rebounds, displaying impressive skill and versatility.

Kamar Baldwin: Scored 24 points and grabbed 4 rebounds, providing crucial support to Georgia's offense.

Guerschon Yabusele: Kept France in contention with 12 points and 3 rebounds, playing a vital role in maintaining their competitiveness.