Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered an outstanding performance as Greece emerged victorious with a 109-82 win over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Piraeus, Greece, Olympic qualifying tournament. Antetokounmpo's dominance was on full display as he scored an impressive 32 points in just 19 minutes, making all 11 of his field goal attempts.
"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," remarked Vassilis Spanoulis, capturing the essence of Antetokounmpo's commitment and humility.
Supporting Cast Shines
While Antetokounmpo's performance was the highlight, Thomas Walkup played a crucial role in the victory, contributing 17 points. Greece's lead extended to as many as 27 points during the game, underscoring their dominance.
However, the next hurdle for Greece will be Thursday’s match against Egypt, which is a must-win if they are to advance to the semifinal round.
Global Qualifiers in Full Swing
The qualifying tournament in Greece is part of a broader series of Olympic qualifiers taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. With the stakes high, only four teams from these tournaments will secure spots in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play at all venues concludes on Thursday, followed by semifinal matches on Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
New Zealand's Resilience
In Group A, New Zealand narrowly edged out Croatia 90-86, with Corey Webster and Shea Ili scoring 21 and 18 points respectively. Ili's clutch layup in the final minute sealed the win, leaving Croatia’s Ivica Zubac's 29-point, 16-rebound effort in vain.
Dario Saric, speaking on the loss, 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." Despite the loss, Croatia’s narrow four-point margin keeps their semifinal hopes alive, contingent on Slovenia not defeating New Zealand by 21 points or more.
Montenegro Survives in Riga
Over in Riga, Latvia, Montenegro claimed a hard-fought 70-66 victory over Cameroon. Marko Simonovic led the charge with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic contributed 11 points and 14 rebounds. Montenegro impressed with five players scoring in double figures and a strong showing at the free-throw line, hitting 20 out of 24 attempts.
Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe each scored 14 points for Cameroon, but their efforts fell short in a tightly contested match.
Bahamas Advance in Valencia
The Bahamas secured their place in the knockout rounds in Valencia, Spain, buoyed by a standout performance from Valdez Edgecombe Jr., who led with 21 points. Deandre Ayton added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Buddy Hield's 17 points and 10 assists highlighted the team’s strong teamwork. The Bahamas, boasting a 2-0 record in Group B, demonstrated remarkable accuracy with 13 three-pointers and 24 assists on 31 field goals.
Poland and Finland are set to face off to determine which team will join the Bahamas in the semifinals.
Philippines and Spain Triumph
In other action, the Philippines overcame Latvia 89-80, thanks to Justin Brownlee's near triple-double performance of 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto supported with 18 points and eight rebounds, holding off a late surge by Latvia led by Rodions Kurucs, who scored 18 points.
Spain also secured a victory, defeating Angola 89-81. Santiago Aldama scored 24 points, and Willy Hernangomez added 22 points and 10 rebounds. Despite a strong showing from Jilson Bango, who scored 15 points and recorded nine rebounds, Angola now faces a must-win game against Lebanon to join Spain in the knockout round.
The intensity of the competition highlights the high stakes as nations battle for a coveted spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. As the group stages wrap up and teams look forward to the semifinals, fans can expect even more thrilling games in the coming days.