Giannis Shines as Greece Dominates Dominican Republic in Olympic Qualifiers
In an electrifying display of basketball prowess, 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. Antetokounmpo was nothing short of spectacular, scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes while making all 11 of his field goal attempts. He also exhibited his versatility by going 9-of-13 from the free-throw line and sinking his only three-point attempt. Greece's head coach, Vassilis Spanoulis, praised Antetokounmpo's team-first mentality, saying, "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 added to Greece's offensive fireworks, contributing 17 points. Greece's dominance was evident as they led by as many as 27 points during the game. With this impressive win, Greece is now eyeing the semifinal round of the tournament, needing just a victory over Egypt on Thursday to advance.
The qualifiers in Greece are part of a larger series of tournaments taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain, designed to determine the final four participants in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play at all four venues will conclude on Thursday, followed by semifinal matches on Saturday and championship games on Sunday. Antetokounmpo's recent calf strain that kept him out of the Milwaukee Bucks' playoff run in April seemed to be a distant memory as he dominated the court effortlessly.
New Zealand's Narrow Victory in Group A
In another thrilling encounter, New Zealand edged past Croatia 90-86 in Group A in Piraeus. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were instrumental for New Zealand, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's clutch layup in the final minute sealed the win. New Zealand captain Reuben Te Rangi called it "a gutsy win for our team." Despite Ivica Zubac's 29 points and 16 rebounds, along with significant contributions from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja, Croatia fell short. However, Croatia's four-point differential ensures their place in the semifinals, provided Slovenia doesn't defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more in their upcoming matchup.
Croatia had previously registered a 108-92 win over Slovenia. Reflecting on the latest defeat, Saric 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."
Montenegro's Battle in Latvia
In Riga, Latvia, Montenegro overcame a sluggish start to edge out Cameroon 70-66, keeping their semifinal hopes alive. Marko Simonovic was pivotal with 18 points and six rebounds, making all nine of his free-throws. Montenegro featured five players in double figures and managed to outlast a resilient Cameroon, which led 32-29 at halftime. Nikola Vucevic's 11-point, 14-rebound performance was instrumental, and Montenegro capitalized on free-throws, hitting 20 of 24 for the game. Cameroon’s Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe each scored 14 points in a valiant but unsuccessful effort.
Bahamas Advances in Spain
Over in Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas powered past Poland to advance to the knockout round. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led with 21 points, while Deandre Ayton contributed a robust 18 points and nine rebounds. The Bahamas' team effort was highlighted by 13 successful three-pointers and 24 assists on 31 field goals. Buddy Hield rounded out the exceptional performances with 17 points and 10 assists, ensuring the Bahamas' flawless 2-0 record in Group B. Poland and Finland will face off on Thursday to decide who will join the Bahamas in the semifinals.
Philippines Outlasts Latvia
The Philippines also made a significant statement in Group A of the Latvia tournament with an 89-80 victory over the host nation. Justin Brownlee's near triple-double performance, with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, spearheaded the victory. Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds. Latvia, led by Rodions Kurucs' 18 points, trimmed a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 points but couldn't close the gap further. The Philippines now controls its destiny in the group as it faces Georgia on Thursday. Latvia had earlier beaten Georgia 83-55, giving them a decent chance of advancing as well.
Spain Triumphs Over Angola
In Group A, Spain defeated Angola 89-81 thanks to Santiago Aldama and Willy Hernangomez. Aldama poured in 24 points, while Hernangomez added 22 points and 10 rebounds. Spain maintained control throughout, never letting Angola come closer than six points in the final quarter. Jilson Bango's 15 points and nine rebounds were not enough for Angola, who now need a win against Lebanon to advance to the knockout round along with Spain.
As these Olympic qualifiers progress, each game brings its own set of thrilling narratives and standout performances, all aiming for one ultimate prize: a ticket to Paris.