In a commanding performance, Giannis Antetokounmpo propelled Greece to a 109-82 triumph over the Dominican Republic during the Group B stage of the Piraeus, Greece, Olympic qualifying tournament.
The Greek Freak demonstrated his trademark dominance, scoring an impressive 32 points in just 19 minutes. In a display of sheer efficiency, Antetokounmpo successfully sank all 11 of his field goal attempts and went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line. He also nailed his only three-point attempt, showcasing an all-around offensive masterclass.
Thomas Walkup provided crucial support for Greece with a commendable 17-point contribution. Greece's grip on the game was evident as they led by as many as 27 points. Reflecting on Antetokounmpo's role within the team, Vassilis Spanoulis remarked, "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."
As Greece now sets its sights on their next challenge, they face a must-win match against Egypt on Thursday to advance to the semifinal round. The stakes couldn't be higher as the qualifiers in Greece are part of a broader series of tournaments taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Ultimately, four participants in the men’s basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be determined by these qualifiers.
Meanwhile, in Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand clinched a hard-fought 90-86 victory over Croatia. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were pivotal for New Zealand, scoring 21 and 18 points respectively. Ili's decisive layup in the final minute sealed the win for the Kiwis. Reflecting on the game, Reuben Te Rangi commented, "It was a gutsy win for our team."
Despite Ivica Zubac's standout performance, which saw him score 29 points and grab 16 rebounds, Croatia came up short. Both Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja made significant contributions, but it was not enough to change the outcome. Croatia's four-point differential ensures their place in the semifinals if Slovenia fails to defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more. Saric, reflecting on the game’s intensity, said, "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."
Latvia and Beyond
In Riga, Latvia, Montenegro eked out a 70-66 victory over Cameroon. Marko Simonovic led Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds, contributing to a balanced team effort that saw five players score in double figures. Montenegro's resilience was evident as they maintained a slim 32-29 lead at halftime. Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and a dominant 14 rebounds to the stat sheet, while Montenegro's proficiency from the free-throw line (20-of-24) was instrumental in their win. Cameroon’s Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe matched their efforts, each scoring 14 points, but ultimately fell short.
Spain's Strong Showings
In Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas secured their spot in the knockout round. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led the charge with 21 points, followed by Deandre Ayton, who posted 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds. The Bahamas demonstrated a sharpshooting prowess from beyond the arc, sinking 13 three-pointers and dishing out 24 assists on 31 field goals. Buddy Hield was instrumental, scoring 17 points and recording 10 assists, as the Bahamas maintained a perfect 2-0 record in Group B. The upcoming encounter between Poland and Finland will determine the semifinalist joining the Bahamas.
Elsewhere, the Philippines edged out Latvia with an 89-80 victory. Justin Brownlee was the standout performer, scoring 26 points and contributing nine rebounds and nine assists. Kai Sotto also made a significant impact with 18 points and eight rebounds. Despite Latvia's late push to trim a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 points, their efforts fell short. Latvia's Rodions Kurucs finished with 18 points.
Spain continued their winning ways with an 89-81 victory over Angola. Santiago Aldama led Spain's charge with 24 points, complemented by Willy Hernangomez’s 22 points and 10 rebounds. Angola’s Jilson Bango, with 15 points and nine rebounds, tried to keep his team in contention. A crucial matchup against Lebanon now awaits Angola, as a win would secure their advancement to the knockout round along with Spain.
As group play across all four venues draws to a close on Thursday, the anticipation builds for the semifinal matches on Saturday, culminating in the championship games on Sunday. The journey to clinch a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics continues to deliver suspense and spectacle, with each team vying for the ultimate prize.