Opening day preview: What to look out for as Doncic, Slovenia begin EuroBasket title defense

MUNICH (Germany) - The opening day of FIBA EuroBasket 2022 sees both the defending champions and the reigning FIBA Basketball World Cup champions both in action.

Six games are on the Day 1 schedule across the cities of Tbilisi, Georgia and Cologne, Germany with some highly anticipated matchups to look forward to.

Will Luka and Slovenia overcome Lithuania again?

All eyes will be on Luka Doncic and Slovenia as they look to back up their title triumph from five years ago. They start against an in-form Lithuania side in a repeat of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2020 Final in Kaunas last year.

Slovenia prevailed on that occasion to seal a maiden trip to the Olympics, but Lithuania have been unbeaten in prep with the tandem of Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis one to watch.

Dirk Nowitzki honored in Cologne: can France spoil the party?

Tournament ambassador and German legend Dirk Nowitzki will have his jersey retired ahead of the clash between Germany and France, in Cologne. It will no doubt be cause for celebration and set up for the atmosphere to continue into the game.

But the likes of Evan Fournier and Rudy Gobert will have other ideas as they look to get France back to winning ways after their loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers. In such a tough group, every win is crucial. 

What else is happening?

World champions Spain start their campaign against Bulgaria in the Group A opener in Tbilisi with the hosts Georgia rounding out the day by taking on Belgium.

Turkey are also in action as Cedi Osman looks to lead the way as they come up against Montenegro,, led by Bojan Dubljevic.

Also in Group B, there is a meeting between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary as the two teams will have an early chance to state their intentions in amongst four potential medal candidates.

FIBA