Giannis Antetokounmpo finally helped Greece end their 16-year podium drought in what he says was his great achievement.
Relief, joy and pride were the biggest feelings for Giannis Antetokounmpo after carrying Greece to third place at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 and ending his country's long wait for a medal - for what he called the greatest accomplishment as a sportsman.
"We did it, this is probably the greatest accomplishment I have ever accomplished as an athlete," he said after Greece's 92-89 victory over Finland for third place.
"I know I have won an NBA championship, but there is no feeling like representing your national team and representing 12 million people that breathed and lived this national team."
Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and had 17 rebounds and 6 assists in the win, which came in his ninth competition for Greece.
He had failed to get a medal on the international stage but did have the 2021 NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks.
"This is not better than the championship I won with the Bucks. Winning a championship for an NBA club is a huge accomplishment and Milwaukee is a great city. But it is 500 or 600 thousand people.
"But when you are able to make 12 million Greeks happy, and you are able to inspire the next generation - like (the 2005 EuroBasket winners)) inspired us from the previous generation in 1987 that inspired them. This is the biggest thing ever," Antetokounmpo said.
"There’s a kid right now watching this on TV who is going to be very very happy that maybe one day that he can win a medal with the national team."
The victory came after Greece lost 94-68 in the Semi-Finals to Türkiye. Giannis said that blowout loss motivated him for the Third Place Game, especially because he was being doubted.
"I love that because it hits on my ego. Whenever my legacy is on the line I always respond. I aways find a way to get the job done. I felt for a day and half like my legacy was on the line and I love that feeling. I love when I’m down and people doubt me. And people were doubting me. And today I won a medal."
Finally broke through in his third EuroBasket, finishing fifth in both 2015 and 2022.
Antetokounmpo and Greece took ninth place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 and then were 11th at the FIBA World Cup 2019. He did not play at the FIBA World Cup in 2023.
Antetokounmpo did have the taste of success last summer by winning the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Greece to reach his first Olympics. But the Greeks fell to Germany in the Quarter-Finals in Paris and finished eighth.
Antetokounmpo also said the EuroBasket was another chance for him to fall in love with the game.
"Every time I play with the national team I fall in love with the game more. I wish we were still playing I wish we played next summer. I just love putting on this jersey. I love representing the country. It’s something that I am always excited to do."
And, now he can say he has won a EuroBasket medal.
