The Portuguese national basketball team kicked off their Eurobasket 2025 campaign in Riga with a crucial win. They defeated the Czech Republic on Wednesday, a result that has truly lifted spirits within the squad. This opening victory provides a significant confidence boost, especially early in a tough tournament.
Point guard Diogo Ventura emphasized just how vital this start was for the team. “Beginning with a victory is always very important,” he stated. He pointed out that the Czech Republic was one of Portugal’s key rivals within their group. This success builds momentum as they push toward their main objective: advancing to the next stage of the competition.
Portugal secured a 62-50 victory over the Czech Republic. Now, they must quickly turn their attention to a much bigger test. On Friday, they are set to face Serbia, a team widely considered the top contender for the entire tournament title.
Ventura understands the formidable challenge ahead. “We are focusing on one game at a time,” he explained to Lusa news agency. “Our next match is tomorrow, against Serbia, a team that needs no introduction.” He highlighted that their roster features players known around the globe. “Many believe Serbia currently has the best player in the world,” Ventura added, referring to Nikola Jokic. Despite the challenge, the Portuguese side is determined to play their hardest and see what unfolds.
For now, Portugal’s chances of reaching the round of 16 look much stronger after their initial triumph. “Are we closer? Yes, absolutely,” Ventura confirmed. He clarified that with six teams in the group and four moving on, Portugal ideally needs to defeat two teams. Having already secured one win, their goal is now to claim as many victories as possible.
The team’s starting guard also noted that four more games remain in Group A. Portugal plans to maintain its game-by-game focus, starting with a “very difficult” match against Serbia.
Ventura described Serbia as incredibly strong across every position. “It is extremely hard to find any weak spots in a team like Serbia,” he asserted. Portugal’s approach will be simple: play their best, try to be as loose as possible, and then accept the final outcome.
Defense remains their cornerstone strategy. It was the defining factor in their victory over the Czechs, limiting them to just 50 points. “Defense has always been our strength,” the 31-year-old player stressed. “We put a lot of effort into this aspect specifically for games like yesterday, against the Czech Republic, where our offense wasn’t at its peak.” He continued, “But when we rely on our defense, we always have a chance to win. That’s exactly what happened. And that’s what we will lean on in every game.”
In their first outing, the team’s defensive cohesion truly shone. Individually, Neemias Queta delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 23 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. Ventura hailed him as a “special talent” who “elevates the game” of the entire Portuguese team.
The Eurobasket 2025 Group A clash between Portugal and Serbia tips off at 9:15 PM local time in Riga. That’s 7:15 PM in Lisbon. The game will be held at the Xiomani Arena.
After their encounter with Serbia, Portugal still has a busy schedule. They are set to play Turkey on Saturday, co-host Latvia on Monday, and Estonia on Wednesday. To advance to the round of 16, Portugal must secure one of the top four spots in their group standings.
The 42nd edition of the Eurobasket finals began on Wednesday and will conclude on September 14. This year’s tournament is being hosted across several cities: Riga in Latvia, Limassol in Cyprus, Tampere in Finland, and Katowice in Poland.