EuroBasket 2022: Quarter-finals preview, schedule and how to watch NBA stars in action after shock start to the knockout phase

The most prestigious basketball tournament in Europe has seen some thrilling early action in the men's 2022 edition, and now we're set for the quarter-final stage of EuroBasket.

Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (pictured) starred for Greece with 27 points as they beat the Czech Republic 94-88 in the round of 16, to complete the last eight line-up.

Luka Doncic, spearheaded **Slovenia'**s march. The defending champions from 2017 beat Belgium 88-72 to reach the quarter-finals. NBA star Doncic scored 35 points, and Goran Dragic's international career was extended by at least one more day. They'll next face Poland, who are in the last eight for the first time in 25 years.

Spain took overtime to overcome Lithuania 102-94 in the round of 16. They'll next face face a Finland side fresh from qualifying for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, who continued their run of form with a 94-86 win over Croatia.

Dennis Schroder was top scorer for Germany with 22 points in their 85-79 win over Montenegro. Rudy Gobert contributed 20 points as France beat Turkey 87-86.

Italy shocked pre-tournament favourites Serbia, as even 32 points from Nikola Jokic weren't enough to keep Serbia's medal hopes alive. The Italians won 94-86 with Marco Spissu netting six three-pointers and coach Gianmarco Pozzecco announcing afterwards that his team "have shaken the world tonight."

EuroBasket 2022: Schedule for quarter-finals, semi-finals, final

Eurobasket 2022 began with a group phase from 1-9 September, with four pools of six teams each. The top four teams in each pool qualified for the round of 16, which took place on 10-11 September.

The eight winning teams will then compete in quarter-finals slated for 13-14 September in Berlin, before with the semi-finals on 16 September and the final set for 18 September.

Full schedule (all tip-off times are Central European Summer Time / CEST, which is GMT+2).

Tuesday 13 September - Both games at Arena Berlin in Germany.

• Quarter-final - Spain v Finland - 17:15 CEST - Arena Berlin.
• Quarter-final - Germany v Greece - 20:30 CEST - Arena Berlin.

Wednesday 14 September - Both games at Arena Berlin in Germany.

• Quarter-final - France v Italy - 17:15 CEST - Arena Berlin.
• Quarter-final - Slovenia v Poland - 20:30 CEST - Arena Berlin.

Friday 16 September

• Semi-final - TBC v TBC
• Semi-final - TBC v TBC

Sunday 18 September

• 3rd place playoff - TBC v TBC - 17:15 CEST
• Final - TBC v TBC - 20:30 CEST.

The NBA stars to watch in the quarter-final stage at EuroBasket 2022

Several big names have already been eliminated, including reigning NBA MVP and Olympic silver medallist Jokic. Here are the top men to watch in the last eight.

Rudy Gobert – France

Having taken silver at Tokyo 2020, and defeated the United States in the group stages, France are among the favourites for EuroBasket 2022.

They boast a handful of NBA players in their roster headed by Rudy Gobert who sent shockwaves through the sport with his blockbuster summer trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves back in July.

Named to the NBA All-Defensive Team in his last six seasons at the Utah Jazz, as well as claiming the NBA Defensive Player of the Year title in 2018, 2019 and 2021, Gobert is one of Les Bleus’ most valuable assets.

Pair his prolific defending abilities with his on-court relationship with New York Knicks man Evan Fournier, another player known for coming alive for the French team, Gobert and France will take some stopping as they build towards their home Olympics in 2024.

READ: NBA star Rudy Gobert ready for new adventure with Minnesota Timberwolves: “Change is exciting

Luka Doncic – Slovenia

Doncic was just 18 years old and plying his trade for Real Madrid when Slovenia won the last EuroBasket in 2017.

Relatively unknown at the time, Doncic marked himself out as a player to watch after averaging 14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists to earn a place on the All-Tournament Team.

After leading Real Madrid to the Liga ACB and EuroLeague titles, Doncic was selected third overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks where he has blossomed into a superstar.

Doncic is a name on everyone’s lips in the NBA, but representing his country means more than anything to the young gun.

Defending the title won’t be easy for Slovenia but with 2017 EuroBasket MVP Goran Dragic, Denver Nugget Vlatko Cancar and Euroleague standout Mike Tobey by his side, Doncic will give them a fighting chance.

Giannis Antetokounmpo – Greece

Greek hopes of a EuroBasket crown will be firmly pinned on the sizeable shoulders of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The two-time NBA MVP and 2021 NBA Championship winner with the Milwaukee Bucks is making his first EuroBasket appearance since 2015 having missed the 2017 edition with a knee injury.

Greece's last EuroBasket title came in 2005, and the 'Greek Freak' will be vital to their chances of regaining the crown.

Now 27, Antetokounmpo became the youngest player to reach 14,000 points, 6,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists in his career.

In 2022, he averaged 29.9 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 67 games as well as being selected to play in his sixth All-Star game.

Willy Hernangomez – Spain

New Orleans Pelicans' Willy Hernangomez is a player to keep an eye out for as world champions Spain make their bid for European glory.

The 2015 winners are without star guard Ricky Rubio as well as the Gasol brothers with Pau retiring from basketball and Marc quitting the national side.

Hernangomez, part of the World Cup-winning side of 2019, will carry more of the burden this time although his average of 9.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 50 games NBA last season suggest he will need to step up in this tournament.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, he said, "It is not pressure. It is a responsibility to take a step forward. The good thing we have is that we are a unit; I trust all of them and they trust me."

Among that unit is his brother Juancho Hernangomez who plays for the Toronto Raptors.

With three titles in the last five editions, Spain are not a team to be taken lightly.

FIBA EuroBasket: The last five winners of previous editions

• 2017 – Slovenia

• 2015 – Spain

• 2013 – France

• 2011 – Spain

• 2009 – Spain

EuroBasket 2022: How to watch

Action from FIBA EuroBasket 2022 will be available to watch on FIBA's own streaming service Courtside 1891.

Some geographical restrictions may apply.