Alperen Sengun and Giannis Antetokounmpo resolve their dispute following controversial comments
The final match of FIBA EuroBasket 2025 saw an unexpected twist off the court, as tension between Turkish player Alperen Sengun and Greek NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo escalated.
During and after the semifinal match between Turkey and Greece, Sengun and Antetokounmpo were seen showing signs of tension. This tension spilled over to social media, where Sengun made comments about Antetokounmpo's passing abilities during a post-match analysis.
Antetokounmpo, in a live Instagram broadcast after the match, made a controversial comment about Turkish fans using flag emojis. His comment was widely shared and condemned by Turkish fans and media outlets.
Vassilis Spanoulis, the Greek national team coach, criticized Sengun's comments for lacking respect. In response, Sengun clarified that his post was a communication mistake and expressed great respect for the Greek people.
Antetokounmpo later apologized for offending anyone with his live-stream outburst and expressed love and respect for the Turkish people. He also responded to Sengun during a press conference, suggesting that anyone doubting his passing skills should watch his YouTube videos.
In an attempt to cool down the heated debate between fans of both nations, Sengun and Antetokounmpo shared a joint Instagram post. The post was intended to signal a desire for reconciliation.
Germany won the championship in FIBA EuroBasket 2025, with Turkey finishing as the runner-up. Both Sengun and Antetokounmpo issued formal statements following the uproar.
The semifinal match between Turkey and Greece was a thrilling contest, with both teams giving their all. Despite the off-court drama, the final match of EuroBasket 2025 was a fitting end to a competitive tournament.
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