Slovenia Advances to EuroBasket Quarterfinals with Thrilling Win

Luka Doncic leads Slovenia past Italy in EuroBasket

Luka Doncic's clutch free throws and dominant performance lead Slovenia to a thrilling win over Italy in the EuroBasket tournament.

Slovenia attempted to extend their lead in the third quarter, but Italy responded with a strong showing, courtesy of three-pointers...

Italy, who at the last EuroBasket knocked out Serbia in the Round of 16 and lost to France in the Quarter-Finals after coming within a whisker of victory, came up against an extraordinary Luka Doncic in the first quarter.

Luka Dončić's explosive performance in the first quarter, scoring 22 points, propelled Serbia to a commanding 29-11 lead.

Slovenia has secured a spot in the EuroBasket quarterfinals after holding off a late surge from Italy. Luka Doncic led the charge with an impressive 42 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing his exceptional skills on the court.

Doncic's extraordinary performance, particularly in the first quarter, proved to be a decisive factor in Slovenia's victory. Italy, known for their resilience, had previously demonstrated their strength by knocking out Serbia in the Round of 16 and pushing France to the limit in the quarterfinals. However, Doncic's dominance was too much for them to handle.

Simone Fontecchio's impressive performance in the second quarter helped Italy narrow the deficit, with the Miami Heat player scoring 13 points. Fontecchio was well-supported by Michele Spissu and Marco Spissu's effective shooting, which enabled Italy to close the gap. Despite this, Slovenia maintained a 10-point lead at halftime due to their superior shooting and intense defense.

Luka Doncic continued to dominate, ending the half with 30 points. His exceptional performance kept Slovenia ahead, despite Italy's efforts to catch up. Doncic's shooting accuracy and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates were key factors in Slovenia's halftime lead.

Imagine waking up knowing you'll have to guard Luka Doncic.

Luka has 22 in the first quarter.#EuroBasket | #MakeYourMark pic.twitter.com/3rfC6HlQ4r

— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 7, 2025

Third Quarter Developments

Slovenia attempted to extend their lead in the third quarter, but Italy responded with a strong showing, courtesy of three-pointers from Nico Mannion and Simone Fontecchio. This effort brought the Italians within nine points of Slovenia.

Omic's Impact

Alen Omic's dominance in the paint proved pivotal for Slovenia, as he helped push the lead back up to 15 points. By the end of the third quarter, Slovenia held a 72-56 advantage over Italy.

Italy's Late Surge Falls Short

In the final quarter, Italy mounted a strong comeback, going on a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to 10 points. Danilo Gallinari and Nico Mannion led the charge, with a 16-6 run that brought Italy within six points, trailing 72-78. Italy continued to push, with Gallinari and Saliou Niang scoring crucial points to keep the game within reach. A pair of missed free throws by Slovenia's Klemen Prepelič and a clutch shot by Simone Fontecchio brought Italy to within one point, setting up a thrilling finish.

Fontecchio with a TOUGH bucket and this is a 1-point game 🤯#EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/yyveOYzEkj

— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 7, 2025

Luka Doncic sealed the win for Slovenia with clutch free throws. After putting Slovenia up by three with two free throws, Doncic added two more points from the line following Simone Fontecchio's missed shot.

With this victory, Slovenia advances to the quarterfinals, where they'll face World Champions Germany.

What's Next for Slovenia?

With Doncic at the helm, Slovenia looks poised to make a deep run in the tournament. Their next challenge will be against top-ranked teams in the quarterfinals. Given Doncic's track record and recent performances, Slovenia's chances of advancing further seem promising.

Luka Doncic has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, including leading Slovenia to the EuroBasket 2017 title and earning All-Tournament honors at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. His dedication to both the Dallas Mavericks and the Slovenian national team highlights his love for the game and relentless pursuit of excellence.