In a dominant display of skill and athletic prowess, Giannis Antetokounmpo propelled Greece to a resounding 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament held in Piraeus, Greece. Giannis, often referred to as the "Greek Freak," was nothing short of sensational, amassing 32 points in just 19 minutes on the court. Remarkably, he was flawless in his field-goal attempts, making all 11 shots.
Antetokounmpo's Pivotal Performance
Antetokounmpo's near-perfect game didn’t stop at field goals. He went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line and nailed his only three-point attempt. His leadership and efficiency on the court were pivotal, not just statistically, but also inspiring his teammates and fans alike. "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," Vassilis Spanoulis, a revered figure in Greek basketball, remarked about Antetokounmpo’s commitment and humility.
Supporting Giannis, Thomas Walkup added 17 points, providing additional firepower for Greece. The team’s cohesion and collective effort resulted in a 27-point lead at one stage, underscoring their dominance. To advance to the semifinal round, Greece now faces a crucial match against Egypt on Thursday.
Other Highlights in Piraeus
Meanwhile, in Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand narrowly edged past Croatia with a 90-86 victory. Corey Webster and Shea Ili played key roles for New Zealand, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's timely layup in the final minute sealed the win for New Zealand. Reflecting on the achievement, Reuben Te Rangi acknowledged, "It was a gutsy win for our team."
Croatia, despite the loss, saw an outstanding performance from Ivica Zubac, who scored 29 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Significant contributions from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja further bolstered the Croatian side. Croatia's earlier 108-92 win over Slovenia still keeps them in contention for a semifinal spot, contingent on Slovenia not defeating New Zealand by a margin greater than 21 points.
Latvia and Spain's Thrilling Matches
In Riga, Latvia, Montenegro triumphed over Cameroon 70-66. Leading the charge for Montenegro was Marko Simonovic, who scored 18 points and recorded six rebounds. The team demonstrated depth with five players scoring in double figures. Nikola Vucevic contributed significantly with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Montenegro’s strong free-throw performance, making 20 out of 24 attempts, was a critical factor in their win. Cameroon saw notable efforts from Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe, each scoring 14 points.
Back in Spain, the Bahamas secured a spot in the knockout round in Valencia. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led with 21 points, while NBA star Deandre Ayton added 18 points and nine rebounds. Buddy Hield also made a substantial impact, scoring 17 points and notching 10 assists. The team’s effective three-point shooting, achieving 13 successful attempts, and their combined 24 assists on 31 field goals highlighted their cohesive and strategic play.
Excitement in the Philippines and Spain
Elsewhere, the Philippines clinched an 89-80 victory over Latvia. Their star performer, Justin Brownlee, came close to a triple-double, scoring 26 points, with nine rebounds and nine assists. Kai Sotto added strength with 18 points and eight rebounds. Latvia’s Rodions Kurucs spearheaded a valiant effort, scoring 18 points and narrowing a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit down to 10 points.
In another captivating game, Spain bested Angola 89-81. Santiago Aldama led Spain's scoring with 24 points, supported by Willy Hernangomez's double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. Angola’s Jilson Bango contributed 15 points and nine rebounds. Angola now faces a decisive match against Lebanon, needing a win to join Spain in the knockout stage.
As the qualifiers progress, these high-stakes games continue to showcase the intense competition and extraordinary talent vying for the limited spots in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The confluence of star players and compelling narratives makes this Olympic qualifying tournament a spectacle of international basketball at its finest.