Giannis Antetokounmpo Shines as Greece Dominates Dominican Republic
In a standout performance, Giannis Antetokounmpo powered Greece to a commanding 109-82 win over the Dominican Republic during the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus, Greece. The star forward, synonymous with excellence on the basketball court, displayed an impeccable touch, scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes.
Antetokounmpo made all 11 of his field goal attempts, showcasing not just precision but also an unyielding dominance. His accuracy extended to the free-throw line, where he went 9-of-13, and he added a perfect three-pointer, reaffirming his versatile scoring ability. Greece's head coach, Vassilis Spanoulis, praised the Milwaukee Bucks icon, remarking, "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."
Thomas Walkup, another key contributor for Greece, added 17 points. The Greek team maintained a strong lead, at one point ahead by as many as 27 points. With this victory, Greece now gears up for a crucial match against Egypt on Thursday, the outcome of which will determine their progression to the semifinal round.
New Zealand's Nail-Biter Win Over Croatia
In Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand edged past Croatia with a thrilling 90-86 victory. Corey Webster and Shea Ili spearheaded New Zealand's offense, scoring 21 and 18 points respectively. Ili's decisive layup in the final minute secured the win, leaving Reuben Te Rangi to acclaim, "It was a gutsy win for our team."
Despite Ivica Zubac's remarkable 29 points and 16 rebounds for Croatia, the team fell short. Contributions from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja were significant, but not enough to tip the scales. Reflecting on the defeat, Saric noted, "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." Croatia's four-point differential could still secure them a semifinal spot if Slovenia fails to defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more.
Montenegro Triumphs Over Cameroon
Meanwhile, in Riga, Latvia, Montenegro secured a hard-fought 70-66 win against Cameroon. Marko Simonovic led the charge for Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and 14 rebounds. Five Montenegro players scored in double figures, illustrating a well-rounded team effort. The team also excelled at the free-throw line, making 20 out of 24 attempts. Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe were the top scorers for Cameroon, each contributing 14 points.
Bahamas Advances in Valencia
In Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas advanced to the knockout round. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led the team with 21 points, supported by Deandre Ayton's 18 points and nine rebounds. Buddy Hield showcased versatility with 17 points and 10 assists. The Bahamas boasted impressive ball movement, recording 24 assists on 31 field goals and hitting 13 successful three-pointers. Holding a 2-0 record in Group B, the Bahamas now awaits the outcome of the Poland-Finland clash to determine their semifinal opponent.
Philippines Outlasts Latvia
The Philippines registered an 89-80 win over Latvia, thanks to a stellar performance by Justin Brownlee, who nearly secured a triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds. Despite Latvia cutting a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 points, the Philippines held firm. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points in a valiant effort.
Spain Defeats Angola
Spain overcame Angola 89-81, spearheaded by Santiago Aldama's 24 points. Willy Hernangomez also delivered a significant contribution with 22 points and 10 rebounds. For Angola, Jilson Bango scored 15 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Angola now faces a must-win game against Lebanon to join Spain in advancing to the knockout round.
The qualifiers in Greece are part of a broader series of tournaments taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. These series will determine four participants in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play at all four venues will conclude on Thursday, with semifinal matches set for Saturday and championship games on Sunday.