The countdown has begun for FIBA EuroBasket 2025, with Cyprus preparing to host Group C games at the Spyros Kyprianou Sports Center in Limassol from August 28 to September 4. It marks a historic moment for Cypriot basketball, as the national team will make its first-ever appearance in the tournament, competing alongside European powerhouses Greece, Spain, Italy, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Group C has already been branded the “group of death” by FIBA due to the extraordinary level of competition. Fans will witness some of the sport’s biggest global stars, including seven NBA players:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) leading Greece,

• Simone Fontecchio (Miami Heat) representing Italy,

• Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies) and Eli Ndiaye (Atlanta Hawks) for Spain,

• Jusuf Nurkić of Bosnia and Herzegovina,

• Goga Bitadze (Orlando Magic) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (Toronto Raptors) for Georgia.

Ticket demand has soared, with high-profile clashes like Greece vs. Spain already sold out. Each team will play five group-stage games, with the top four advancing to the knockout rounds. More than 230 journalists and photographers have been accredited, underscoring the event’s status as the biggest sporting event ever held in Cyprus.

The spectacle extends beyond the court with an entertainment program directed by Eddy Diamantopoulos, a veteran of the Rio Olympics and Qatar World Cup. Fans can enjoy performances by dance groups from Cyprus, Greece, and Georgia, percussion ensemble Batukinho, violinist Liya Melentjeva, and DJs Andrøniki and Andreas Patsalides. The official mascot, Marky Mark, will also bring extra energy to the arena.

According to a 2024 EY study, the cost of hosting the group stage is estimated at €7.1 million, with projected benefits ranging from €12.2 million to €17.7 million for the Cypriot economy. Ticket sales and sponsorships will drive most of the revenue.