Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece to a commanding 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Piraeus, Greece, Olympic qualifying tournament. Displaying his trademark efficiency, Antetokounmpo poured in 32 points in just 19 minutes of play. Remarkably, he made all 11 of his field goal attempts and went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line, a testament to his dominance on the court. He also demonstrated his range by sinking his only three-point attempt.
Antetokounmpo’s breathtaking performance was complemented by Thomas Walkup, who chipped in with 17 points. Greece's relentless offensive onslaught saw them lead by as many as 27 points during the game, leaving the Dominican Republic reeling. Greece now faces a crucial matchup against Egypt on Thursday, with a victory necessary to advance to the semifinal round.
Vassilis Spanoulis, reflecting on Antetokounmpo's contribution, said, "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." Indeed, Antetokounmpo’s presence on the court radiates more than just his basketball prowess; it underscores his commitment to national pride.
Qualification Battles Intensify
The qualifiers in Greece form part of a larger series of tournaments taking place simultaneously in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain, crucial for determining 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 scheduled for Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
In Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand edged past Croatia with a nail-biting 90-86 victory. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were instrumental, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's crucial layup in the final minute sealed the win for New Zealand. Despite the loss, Croatia's Ivica Zubac turned in a stellar performance with 29 points and 16 rebounds. Croatia’s place in the semifinals now hinges on Slovenia not defeating New Zealand by 21 points or more, a challenging yet plausible scenario considering Croatia's previous 108-92 triumph over Slovenia.
Dario Saric acknowledged the difficulty of their position, remarking, "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 Grit and Determination
Meanwhile, in Riga, Latvia, Montenegro overcame a persistent Cameroon squad with a 70-66 victory. Marko Simonovic spearheaded the effort with 18 points and six rebounds, while Montenegro boasted five players scoring in double figures. Nikola Vucevic was a force on the boards, hauling down 14 rebounds and adding 11 points. Montenegro's proficiency at the free-throw line was pivotal, converting 20 of their 24 attempts.
Bahamas Thrives in Spain
The Bahamas continue to impress in Valencia, Spain, advancing to the knockout round after a stellar performance. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led the charge with 21 points, while Deandre Ayton contributed 18 points and nine rebounds. The Bahamas showcased their long-range shooting prowess, sinking 13 three-pointers and tallying 24 assists on 31 field goals. Buddy Hield was instrumental as well, recording 17 points and 10 assists. Their 2-0 record in Group B positions them strongly moving forward.
Poland and Finland are set to clash in a decisive encounter to determine who will join the Bahamas in the semifinals, underlining the highly competitive nature of the qualification process.
Philippines' Resilience and Spain's Poise
The Philippines exhibited resilience, securing an 89-80 victory over Latvia. Justin Brownlee led the offensive with a near triple-double, scoring 26 points, and recording nine rebounds and nine assists. Kai Sotto added significant support with 18 points and eight rebounds. The Philippines managed to withstand a late surge from Latvia, who slashed a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 points, thanks to Rodions Kurucs's 18 points.
In another hard-fought contest, Spain emerged victorious over Angola with an 89-81 win. Santiago Aldama's 24 points and Willy Hernangomez's 22 points and 10 rebounds were decisive. Jilson Bango's 15 points and nine rebounds were not enough for Angola, who now need a win against Lebanon to secure advancement to the knockout round alongside Spain.
As the group stages draw to a close, the intensity and stakes are higher than ever. Teams are leaving it all on the court, and the dream of participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics hangs tantalizingly in the balance.