Germany : Brazil staged an extraordinary comeback to win the men’s basketball gold medal at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Essen, Germany. Trailing the USA by 20 points entering the fourth quarter, and down by as much as 22 early in the final period, Brazil refused to surrender. Under the guidance of head coach Fernando De Olivera Pereira, the Brazilian team focused on resilience instead of the scoreboard, outscoring the USA 35-13 in the fourth quarter to force an 80-80 tie at the end of regulation. Led by point guard Adyel Borges, who scored 25 points, Brazil kept its momentum in overtime and ultimately triumphed 94-88, clinching their second FISU men’s basketball title in over 60 years.
The thrilling victory showcased Brazil’s team unity and fighting spirit, while the USA, despite a strong start and a lead up to 20 points in the third quarter, faltered in the crucial moments. Team USA’s coach Scott Drew acknowledged the Brazilian effort, attributing the shift in momentum to Brazil’s superior shooting and defensive stops in the final quarter. This intense final capped off the 12-day multi-sport event held across the Rhine-Ruhr region, featuring around 8,500 university athletes from more than 150 nations competing in 18 sports.
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