Aside of incredible plays and thrilling games, EuroBasket 2025 witnessed an unexpected clash, not just on the court, but across social media, between two of its brightest stars: Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece and Alperen Sengün of Turkey. What began as competitive banter escalated into a cultural controversy, prompting both players to issue heartfelt apologies and a call for reconciliation.
The tension ignited during the semifinal between Greece and Turkey, where Turkey dominated with a blowout victory. After the game, Sengün made a comment that raised eyebrows: “Wouldn’t the sea weather be nice?”, a phrase that many Greek fans interpreted as a veiled reference to the 1922 burning of Smyrna (modern-day Izmir), a deeply painful chapter in Greco-Turkish history.
Meanwhile, Sengün also critiqued Antetokounmpo’s playing style, saying,
“Giannis is an amazing player but not a great passer,” which added fuel to the fire.
Following Greece’s bronze medal win over Finland, Giannis took to Instagram Live to celebrate. However, the moment turned sour when Turkish fans flooded the chat with Turkish flags. Visibly irritated, Giannis snapped:
“Take the f***ing Turkish flag out of here!”.
I don’t usually jump into debates. But while overreacting to a technical comment from Alperen, Giannis said: “f**ing Turkish flag.”*
Disrespecting a nation’s flag is beyond the game. 🇹🇷pic.twitter.com/aNDAZMRyLO
— Alperen Şengün Stats (@SengunStats) September 15, 2025
The clip quickly circulated online, drawing backlash from fans and media alike.
In response to the growing criticism, Giannis posted a public apology:
“During my feed, I made an inappropriate comment responding to somebody that was making disrespectful remarks. My intention was never to offend anyone. AND I’M DEEPLY SORRY. I have nothing but love and respect for Turkey and people all around the world.”
He later shared a photo of himself embracing Sengün during an NBA game, captioned with a message of unity:
“We play for the love of our countries. We play for the love of the game. We play with respect. We always remember sports are made to unite us, not divide us.”
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Sengün, too, faced backlash for his “sea weather” comment. Many Greeks saw it as insensitive, given its perceived historical connotation. Sengun addressed the controversy in an Instagram Story:
“My post after Greece game was a communication mistake. I have great respect for Greek people. No offense was ever intended.”
Greece’s coach Vassilis Spanoulis also weighed in, defending Giannis and dismissing Sengün’s earlier critique: “Sengün is a very, very small kid to talk about Giannis”. But Giannis chose not to escalate, instead urging fans to judge his game by his actions, not words.
This incident underscores the immense influence athletes wield, not just as competitors, but as cultural ambassadors. In an era where every word can be amplified globally, Giannis and Sengün’s apologies serve as reminders of the responsibility that comes with fame.
Their reconciliation was widely praised, with fans from both nations applauding the gesture. As the NBA season approaches, anticipation builds, not for drama, but for a renewed spirit of competition and mutual respect.
