By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Riga, Latvia – Germany managed to get over Slovenia in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Quarter-Finals, qualifying for the Semi-Finals against Finland, with whom they already played in the Group Phase.
Interviewed in the post-game mixed zone, Isaac Bonga touched on the rematch, considering they previously won by 30 points (91-61). “It’s going to be a different team,” he opened.
“I think from history, from experience, I can just say it’s going to be a very tough game, probably it’s gonna be like this game right here, so we are gonna recover and then gotta be ready for Finland.”
When asked about Lauri Markkanen’s importance for Lassi Tuovi’s national team, Partizan Belgrade’s forward praised him. “I know he’s definitely going to show character when you start playing,” he said.
Isaac Bonga had the toughest of duties against Aleksander Sekulic’s team, having to try to contain Luka Doncic. “Regardless of losing weight or not, I think we all know what type of player he is,” he said.
“His history shows what he’s able to do. Today, he kind of showed it again, but I’m just happy that we won this game. [Defending him in the NBA and FIBA] is kind of the same. This is why he’s special. This is why he is who he is,” Isaac Bonga continued on Slovenia’s phenomenon, who had 39 points.
Ultimately, the 25-year-old all-arounder spoke about the overall competitiveness of the tournament. “Just from watching the Quarter-Finals, you just see in every single game that it doesn’t matter what team you play, it’s going to be a tough game,” Bonga said.
“Regardless of whether you’ve qualified for the knockout stage with 1st place, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place, it’s gonna be tough. So I think every single team has got to be locked in.”
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA