Karakoussis & Efes steam passing Rakic's Efes - making a title statement!
- Euroleague
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Anadolu Efes, under the command of Greek rookie Nikos Karakoussis, delivered a thunderous playoff statement by sweeping Virtus Bologna 3-0 in an one-sided affair of the NBA2K25 CyberEuroleague Top 16 series.
In his very first Cyber EL season, Karakoussis not only lived up to his third seed billing from the regular season but also sparked whispers about a potential title run. Meanwhile, Serbian gamer Uros Rakic, also a debutant, ended his campaign on a sour note and confirmed: "Finally this disastrous season is over for me. That was my last game with Virtus Bologna." Still, Rakic can be proud of surviving his rookie season far above the relegation zone.
Greek Rise in eBasketball: Two in Top 8 for the First Time: Karakoussis & Efes, Moscholios & Oly
For the first time in league history, two Greek gamers have broken into Europe’s elite. Alongside Karakoussis, Giannis Moscholios has led Olympiacos to the quarterfinals, marking a landmark achievement for Greek esports in the competitive NBA2K25 scene.
Efes vs Virtus Bologna – Series Recap (3-0)
Game 1 – Karakoussis Sets the Tone With 40% 3PT Barrage
Efes Istanbul opened the series with a 95-55 blowout win, underlined by Shane Larkin’s lethal 29-point performance, including 6 triples on 14 attempts. Karakoussis’s side shot a blistering 48% from three and 52% overall, displaying elite offensive coordination.
Virtus, steered by Uros Rakic, missing Torkine Shengelia for game 1, looked frozen from the start—managing just 29% from the field and 25% from deep, with no player scoring more than 13. Rakic’s squad was outclassed in assists (22 to 7), bench points (33 to 30), and decisively in points in the paint (22 to 6).
Quarter Breakdown: Efes outscored Bologna in every period: 22-12, 19-19, 26-15, and 28-9—punctuating the rout with a 19-point fourth-quarter hammer.
Game 2 – Larkin and Poirier Extend the Pain
Game two followed a similar script as Efes rolled 84-73, though Virtus showed more backbone. Still, Karakoussis remained in full control behind a 19-point, 10-assist double-double from Larkin, complemented by Poirier’s dominant 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Rakic found a lifeline in Isaiah Cordinier’s 24 points, but the supporting cast couldn’t follow. Virtus were again inefficient, shooting 39% FG and 34% from three, and giving up 40 points in the paint.
Quarter Breakdown: Karakoussis’ Efes led from start to finish again: 24-14, 23-22, 23-22, and even a 14-15 fourth did little to change the tide.
Game 3 – Thompson Drops 29 as Virtus Burn Out
Darius Thompson erupted for 29 points and 7 assists in a clinical 97-61 series-clincher, once again showcasing Karakoussis’ efficient system play. Efes as a team hit 14 threes at 44% while shooting 56% overall. The Turkish side destroyed Virtus in fast break points (29 to 11) and bench points (48 to 14).
Virtus’ Cordinier fought with 20 points, but the rest of the roster looked disengaged. The squad managed just 34% shooting and suffered under the relentless pressure of Efes' ball movement and transition speed.
Quarter Breakdown: Efes steamrolled with 23-17, 26-13, 29-13 leads before easing off in the fourth, 19-18.
Quarterfinal Matchup: Karakoussis vs. Jovic – Clash of Firepower and Legacy
Now, third-seed Efes (Karakoussis) meets tenth-seed Paris (Stefan Jovic) in what could be the quarterfinal with the most hidden firepower. On paper, Karakoussis would be the clear favorite based on seeding and season consistency. But Jovic—former Cyber EL champion—is back to top form, as demonstrated by his ruthless sweep over Baskonia.
This matchup will test Karakoussis' tactical sharpness and ability to maintain composure in his deepest playoff run yet. Jovic's experience, mental fortitude, and proven ability to peak in knockout stages could shift the narrative quickly in his favour.
