Giannis Antetokounmpo shone brightly as he led Greece to a commanding 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Piraeus, Greece, Olympic qualifying tournament. Demonstrating his extraordinary skill and determination, Antetokounmpo played an impeccable game, scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes of play. His flawless performance included making all 11 of his field goal attempts and sinking his only three-point shot. Additionally, he showcased his versatility by going 9-of-13 from the free-throw line.
Thomas Walkup was another key contributor for Greece, adding 17 points to the scoreboard. The Greek team dominated the game, holding a lead that extended to as many as 27 points, reflecting their superior tactical execution and teamwork. The triumph over the Dominican Republic sets the stage for Greece’s critical match against Egypt on Thursday, a game they must win to advance to the semifinal round of the tournament.
Commenting on Antetokounmpo’s dedication and humility, Vassilis Spanoulis 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.” These words resonate with the inspiration Antetokounmpo brings to his team and fans alike.
The qualifiers in Greece are part of a broader series of tournaments taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. These tournaments will determine the final four participants in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play at all four venues is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, with the semifinal matches set for Saturday and the championship games slated for Sunday.
Other Notable Matches
In Group A action from Piraeus, New Zealand edged past Croatia with a close 90-86 win. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were standout performers for New Zealand, scoring 21 and 18 points respectively. Ili's crucial layup in the final minute sealed the hard-fought victory. For Croatia, Ivica Zubac was a powerhouse, scoring 29 points and recording 16 rebounds, while teammates Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja also made significant contributions. Despite the defeat, Croatia’s four-point differential keeps their hopes alive for a semifinal spot if Slovenia fails to defeat New Zealand by a margin of 21 points or more. Reflecting on the game, Dario Saric remarked, "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."
Meanwhile, Montenegro overcame Cameroon with a 70-66 victory in Riga, Latvia. Marko Simonovic led Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds. The team had five players scoring in double figures, with Nikola Vucevic also contributing significantly by scoring 11 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Montenegro's precision at the line was evident as they hit 20 out of 24 free-throw attempts. For Cameroon, Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe each scored 14 points, but it was not enough to secure a victory.
In Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas secured their advancement to the knockout round. Led by Valdez Edgecombe Jr., who scored 21 points, the Bahamas exhibited a formidable performance. Notably, Deandre Ayton added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Buddy Hield contributed with 17 points and 10 assists. Their impressive statistics include 13 successful three-pointers and recording 24 assists on 31 field goals, demonstrating their cohesive and dynamic play. With a 2-0 record in Group B, the Bahamas stand strong, awaiting the outcome of Poland versus Finland to determine their semifinal opponent.
Philippines and Spain Victorious
In other matches, the Philippines defeated Latvia 89-80, thanks to a remarkable performance by Justin Brownlee, who scored 26 points, recorded nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto also made a notable contribution with 18 points and eight rebounds. Despite Latvia's efforts to trim a substantial 21-point fourth-quarter deficit, the Philippines' lead was insurmountable. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points in a valiant effort.
Spain also emerged victorious with an 89-81 win over Angola. Santiago Aldama led the charge with 24 points, and Willy Hernangomez added 22 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing Spain's dominance on the court. For Angola, Jilson Bango scored 15 points and had nine rebounds. Angola now faces a crucial must-win game against Lebanon to advance to the knockout round along with Spain.
The excitement and intensity of the Olympic qualifying tournaments across these various locations continue to build as teams vie for a chance to compete on the grand stage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Each game's outcome not only impacts the standings but also reflects the passion and dedication of the athletes representing their countries.