On September 11th , the 2025 European Championship quarterfinals featured a crucial showdown. World champions Germany defeated Slovenia 99-91, advancing to the semifinals for the second consecutive tournament. They will next face Finland, another historic opponent, for a spot in the final .

Undeterred by Germany's previously undefeated streak, Slovenia launched a 10-2 run to take a 32-21 lead by the end of the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, they even stretched the lead to 13 points. Germany then stepped up the tempo, using a 13-2 run to close the gap to 36-34, and then narrowed the deficit to 45-51 by halftime.

Dončić picked up his fourth foul early in the second half, but he remained in the game, helping his team maintain their lead. At the end of the third quarter, Slovenia led 73-64. However, Tristan da Silva's buzzer-beating three-pointer at halftime gave Germany a lifeline, putting them ahead 70-74 heading into the final quarter. In the crucial fourth quarter, Germany capitalized on two long-range shots to take an 82-77 lead. The defense then rallied, limiting their opponent to just two points in nearly three minutes, ultimately securing the victory.

Daniel Theis was named TCL Player of the Game for his well-rounded performance on both offense and defense, scoring 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists. Franz Wagner scored 23 points, and Schroeder contributed 20 points and 7 assists, providing a steady stream of offense for Germany. In contrast, Slovenia, aside from Dončić, lacked any teammates capable of sharing the pressure on offense.

With this victory, Germany has reached the semi-finals for two consecutive times, setting a new record in team history. Three years ago, they won the bronze medal at home in Berlin, and now they are standing on the semi-final stage again, continuing their journey towards the championship.