Basketball and handball fans, brace yourselves—the European summer of 2025 is set to deliver a double dose of electrifying action! As the NBA offseason winds down and the Oklahoma City Thunder bask in their first-ever NBA championship, the sporting spotlight now swings to the old continent, where two of the year’s most anticipated tournaments are about to unfold: the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 and the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship in Egypt. With global stars, rising prodigies, and national pride on the line, there’s no shortage of drama, skill, and storylines to follow.
First up, the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 tips off on August 27, promising a basketball bonanza across four countries: Cyprus, Finland, Latvia, and Poland. This year’s edition sees 24 nations vying for continental glory, and the competition is stacked with some of the game’s biggest names. Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo headline a star-studded roster, each hoping to lead their homeland to the top of the European basketball hierarchy. The tournament’s opening slate features mouthwatering clashes like Great Britain vs. Lithuania and Latvia vs. Turkey, setting the tone for what’s sure to be a fiercely contested group stage.
EuroBasket fans are in for a treat, with games scheduled daily from August 27 through September 4. Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, there’s something for everyone: key matchups like Germany vs. Sweden, Greece vs. Italy, and France vs. Slovenia dot the calendar. The action is relentless, with each day bringing its own share of upsets, buzzer-beaters, and breakout performances.
Wondering how to catch the games? The primary destination is the Courtside 1891 app, which offers both free and paid options. For $29.99, fans can access live streams and full replays, while the free tier provides highlights—perfect for those who can’t watch every minute but don’t want to miss the key moments. Select games and highlights will also be available on the official FIBA YouTube channel, ensuring that no matter where you are, you’re never far from the action.
But basketball isn’t the only sport capturing attention this August. Over in Cairo, the 2025 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship is already in full swing, having kicked off its main round on August 11. The Egyptian capital is buzzing as 16 of the world’s top youth handball teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals. Matches are being played at the iconic Cairo Stadium—split between Hall 1 and Hall 2—as well as the New Administrative Capital Hall and the Dr Hassan Moustafa Hall in 6 of October.
The main round features four groups, with each game carrying massive implications. Sweden, fresh off a flawless group stage, open their main round campaign against Switzerland. The Swedes have been on fire, averaging a blistering 37 goals per game and led by the dynamic Nikola Roganovic, who has already notched 18 goals and sits joint second in tournament assists. According to official IHF reports, Sweden’s attack is among the best, and their path to the quarter-finals looks promising if they can maintain this pace.
Switzerland, meanwhile, are making just their third appearance at this level. They qualified with wins over Kosovo and Morocco but fell to Hungary in their last group outing. With zero points to start the main round, the Swiss will need to pull off a major upset to keep their hopes alive.
Elsewhere, Iceland faces Serbia in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown. Iceland dominated their preliminary group, racking up 40-plus goals in back-to-back games and showing a defensive edge in a controlled win over Brazil. Their resurgence is notable, especially after a disappointing 20th-place finish at Croatia 2023. Serbia, on the other hand, are making their first Top 16 appearance since 2015 and will be eager to prove they belong among the elite.
Group III sees Germany take on France in a classic European rivalry. Germany, buoyed by a stellar performance from goalkeeper Finn Knaack—who recorded 18 saves in their win over Slovenia—carry momentum and two valuable points into this phase. Coach Erik Wudtke emphasized the importance of capitalizing on their form, especially with France under pressure after a loss to Norway. France’s attack has been prolific, averaging over 40 goals per game, but they’ll need to tighten up defensively to avoid another setback.
Norway, boasting the tournament’s second-best offense, clash with Slovenia. Vetle Mellemstrand Bore has been sensational for the Norwegians, already tallying 30 goals and leading the charge in critical matches. Slovenia, led by Mai Marguč and standout goalkeeper Matevž Mlakar, will need their stars to shine if they hope to pull off a surprise.
Group IV features Denmark against Japan and hosts Egypt taking on Czechia. Denmark have shown flashes of brilliance but will need consistency to secure an early quarter-final berth. Japan, despite a strong start, stumbled against Egypt but could still spring a surprise. Speaking of Egypt, the home crowd has been a massive boost, and the team’s unbeaten run has them dreaming of a deep tournament run. Czechia, aiming to build on their debut performance in 2023, face a daunting task but know that anything is possible in the knockout rounds.
Beyond the main round, the President’s Cup offers a second chance for teams like Portugal, Morocco, Croatia, Guinea, and others to make their mark. Every match, whether for the title or pride, is fiercely contested—after all, these are the future stars of world handball, and every moment on the court is a chance to impress.
Looking ahead, both tournaments promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats. The FIBA EuroBasket 2025 is poised to showcase some of basketball’s brightest talents, while the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship gives a glimpse into the future of handball. With so much at stake and so many storylines unfolding, it’s a golden era for European team sports.
As the action continues in Cairo and across Europe, fans can expect more memorable moments, clutch performances, and perhaps a few surprises along the way. Whether you’re tuning in for the next generation of handball heroes or the established stars of EuroBasket, one thing’s for sure: the summer of 2025 belongs to the athletes who dare to dream—and the fans who live for every second of the game.
