Sweden Makes History: Reaches EuroBasket Knockout Stage for First Time
Sweden has made history by reaching the EuroBasket knockout stage for the first time, thanks to Great Britain's 89-83 win over Montenegro. Read more about their journey.
Sweden's fortunes improved at the start of the second quarter, with Denzel Andersson scoring all six points in a 6-2 run...
Sweden's Historic Achievement
Sweden has made history by reaching the knockout stages of the EuroBasket tournament for the first time. This achievement came about thanks to a crucial win by Great Britain over Montenegro, 89-83, which paved the way for Sweden's advancement. Although Sweden suffered a narrow 74-71 defeat to Lithuania in Group B, the British victory ensured Sweden's spot in the Round of 16.
Dramatic Conclusion to Group Stage
Sweden's journey to the knockout stage was dramatic. A win over Montenegro would have secured their spot with a game to spare, but a 87-81 loss put the Montenegrins in a strong position. However, Great Britain's win over Montenegro changed the dynamics, allowing Sweden to advance despite their loss to Lithuania. This historic achievement marks a significant milestone for Swedish basketball.
CLEAR THE RUNWAY 😤#EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/Y3cpKz4oLB
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 3, 2025
The British team delivered their strongest performance of the tournament just as they were eliminated, securing a six-point win. Sweden's fate now hangs in the balance, with a win over Lithuania guaranteeing fourth place. However, if Sweden loses, the battle for fourth place will be decided by points difference among three teams, with Montenegro in the mix. Sweden would only drop to fourth place if they lose by over 50 points to Lithuania.
Time for a "Defense leads to offense" caption 😎#EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/FrNYyHnZ58
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 3, 2025
The Swedish team, also known as Blagult, took a commanding approach in the game. They never trailed in the first half, establishing an early lead when Pelle Larsson put them ahead 4-2 in the second minute. Larsson and Ludwig Hakanson contributed to expanding the lead to 10-2, and Sweden maintained a comfortable advantage throughout the opening quarter. A layup by Barra Njie in the final minute stretched the lead to nine points, 21-14, before Deividas Sirvydis narrowed the gap to seven points for Lithuania
Sweden's fortunes improved at the start of the second quarter, with Denzel Andersson scoring all six points in a 6-2 run. This push extended Sweden's lead to 11 points, which held steady until 5:40 remained in the half. However, Lithuania's Azuolas Tubelis and Jonas Valanciunas spearheaded a 16-5 surge, narrowing Sweden's lead to 36-32. A crucial three-pointer by Larsson in the final minute of the half allowed Sweden to maintain a 39-33 halftime lead.
The Lithuanian pressure persisted into the third quarter, with the team closing the gap and eventually taking the lead for the first time when Jonas Valanciunas put them up 44-43. Lithuania dominated the early part of the quarter, outscoring Sweden 16-4 in the first 3:50 to take a 49-43 lead. Sweden fought back, with Melwin Pantzar tying the game at 51-51. However, a three-pointer by Deividas Sirvydis gave Lithuania a 54-53 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
The final quarter was intense, with Tobias Borg's threes giving Sweden an early lead. The period saw the lead change hands six times, more than the rest of the game combined. Sweden struggled to contain Lithuania's dominant center, Jonas Valanciunas, who was unstoppable in the paint and at the free-throw line, keeping Lithuania in contention. The quarter was marked by dramatic shifts in momentum, with both teams fighting for control.
A layup by Pelle Larsson put Sweden ahead 67-65 with 3:20 remaining, prompting Lithuania's coach, Rimas Kurtinaitis, to call a timeout. Lithuania capitalized on the break, orchestrating a decisive 8-2 run, with Arnas Velicka scoring six crucial points during the streak. Sweden's Larsson had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer in the final 10 seconds, but his shot missed, securing a 74-71 victory for Lithuania. This win ensured Lithuania finished second in the group, regardless of the outcome between Germany and Finland later that day.
Sweden's basketball team will be huge underdogs in their Round of 16 match on Saturday against the winner of the game between Turkey and Serbia. The team's recent performance saw Pelle Larsson and Jonas Valanciunas top-scoring with 18 points each. Meanwhile:
Top Scorers:
- Pelle Larsson: 18 points
- Jonas Valanciunas: 18 points
- Azuolas Tubelis: 12 points, 12 rebounds
Top Assists:
- Vidas Velicka: 7 assists
- Barra Njie: 6 assists
This upcoming match promises to be an exciting encounter, with Sweden looking to pull off an upset against a strong opponent. Let's see how they fare.
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