In a dominant performance at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus, Giannis Antetokounmpo showcased his brilliance, leading Greece to a resounding 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic. The Greek Freak was nothing short of sensational, scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes. He hit all 11 of his field goal attempts, nailed his only three-pointer, and went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line in an almost flawless outing.
Antetokounmpo's contributions were supported by Thomas Walkup, who chipped in with 17 points. Greece's lead ballooned to as many as 27 points during the game, underscoring their dominance from the tip-off. This crucial victory sets the stage for a high-stakes matchup against Egypt on Thursday, which Greece must win to advance to the semifinal round.
Basketball isn't just about individual performances, and this was a true team effort orchestrated by head coach Vassilis Spanoulis. His thoughts on Giannis's impact were telling: "Giannis loves to be here. He loves to represent his country. He's very humble. He's part of the team. For a superstar you don't find this easy. ... He's about winning."
New Zealand's Nail-Biter and Croatia's Narrow Path
Elsewhere in Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand eked out a thrilling 90-86 win over Croatia. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were pivotal, scoring 21 and 18 points respectively. Ili's critical layup in the final minute ensured New Zealand's victory in a game that could have gone either way. Reflecting on the win, Reuben Te Rangi noted, "It was a gutsy win for our team."
The loss, however, does not entirely dash Croatia's hopes. Ivica Zubac's standout performance, featuring 29 points and 16 rebounds, kept Croatia competitive. Contributions from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja were also noteworthy. Croatia's previous 108-92 win over Slovenia means their semifinal fate hinges on Slovenia's margin of victory over New Zealand; Slovenia must win by at least 21 points to edge out Croatia. Saric acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, "It was a tough spot playing after an emotional win over Slovenia. We were hoping we'd be on a level and push the game in our direction. But today wasn't the case."
Montenegro's Narrow Escape and Bahamian Success
In Riga, Latvia, Montenegro managed to hold off Cameroon with a tight 70-66 win. Marko Simonovic led with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and 14 rebounds. Montenegro’s balanced attack, featuring five players in double figures, coupled with their accuracy from the free-throw line (20-of-24), proved decisive.
Meanwhile, in Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas continued their impressive run by advancing to the knockout round. Led by Valdez Edgecombe Jr.'s 21 points and supported by strong performances from Deandre Ayton (18 points and nine rebounds) and Buddy Hield (17 points and 10 assists), the Bahamas have a commanding 2-0 record in Group B. They demonstrated their shooting prowess by sinking 13 three-pointers and sharing the ball efficiently with 24 assists on 31 field goals. The Bahamian team now awaits the outcome of the Poland-Finland clash to determine their semifinal opponent.
Philippines and Spain Secure Crucial Wins
The Philippines also had their moment of triumph in Riga, defeating Latvia 89-80. Justin Brownlee flirted with a triple-double, tallying 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds. Latvia made a late surge, trimming a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10, but ultimately fell short. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points.
In another competitive game, Spain outlasted Angola 89-81. Santiago Aldama's 24 points and Willy Hernangomez's double-double (22 points and 10 rebounds) were the standout performances from the Spanish side. Jilson Bango's 15 points and nine rebounds for Angola were not enough to change the outcome. Angola now faces a must-win scenario against Lebanon to stay in contention for the knockout round.
As the Olympic qualifiers heat up, the stakes grow higher with each game. The battles in Latvia, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Greece will determine the four participants in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play concludes on Thursday, followed by semifinal matchups on Saturday and championship games on Sunday. The road to Paris is still fraught with challenges, but the intensity and excitement of the qualifiers promise a dramatic and enthralling journey.