Giannis Antetokounmpo's masterful performance propelled Greece to a decisive 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus. The Milwaukee Bucks star led with 32 points in just 19 minutes, showcasing an impeccable performance by making all 11 of his field goal attempts. Antetokounmpo also excelled at the free-throw line, going 9-of-13, and sank his only three-point attempt of the game.
Antetokounmpo's greatness, however, extends beyond the court. "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," said Vassilis Spanoulis, highlighting the NBA superstar's dedication to his national team.
Complementing Antetokounmpo's brilliance, Thomas Walkup contributed a solid 17 points, aiding Greece to maintain their lead, which ballooned to as many as 27 points during the game. Greece now faces a critical match against Egypt on Thursday to secure a place in the semifinal round.
Beyond Greece, the qualifiers are part of a broader initiative with competitions also taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. These group stages conclude on Thursday, followed by semifinal matches on Saturday and the championship games on Sunday. These tournaments are crucial as four slots in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics are up for grabs.
Elsewhere in Group A in Piraeus, New Zealand eked out a 90-86 victory over Croatia. 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 win for the Kiwis. Despite the loss, Croatia’s impressive four-point differential remains a vital factor, contingent on Slovenia’s performance.
Ivica Zubac was a dominant force for Croatia, scoring 29 points and recording 16 rebounds. Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja also made significant contributions. Reflecting on the match, Saric noted, "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."
In Riga, Latvia, Montenegro triumphed over Cameroon with a 70-66 win. Marko Simonovic led Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds, supported by the impressive teamwork that saw five Montenegrin players scoring in double figures. Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and 14 rebounds, contributing to Montenegro's success, which was underscored by their efficient 20 out of 24 free-throw attempts. Despite Cameroon’s efforts, with Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe each scoring 14 points, Montenegro held firm for the victory.
In Spain, the Bahamas advanced to the knockout round in Valencia, fueled by a stellar performance from Valdez Edgecombe Jr., who scored 21 points. Deandre Ayton also shone with 18 points and nine rebounds. The Bahamas demonstrated a strong team effort, making 13 successful three-pointers and recording 24 assists on 31 field goals. Buddy Hield’s contribution of 17 points and 10 assists highlighted the team’s cohesive play, leading to a 2-0 record in Group B. The final semifinalist from this group will be determined when Poland and Finland face off.
In another gripping match, the Philippines overcame Latvia 89-80. Justin Brownlee was instrumental for the Philippines, nearly achieving a triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds, while Latvia’s Rodions Kurucs scored 18 points, as his team valiantly trimmed a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 points.
Meanwhile, in a tightly contested game, Spain secured an 89-81 win over Angola. Santiago Aldama led Spain with 24 points, and Willy Hernangomez added 22 points and 10 rebounds. For Angola, Jilson Bango contributed 15 points and nine rebounds. Angola must win their next match against Lebanon to join Spain in advancing to the knockout round.
As the Olympic qualifiers progress, the global stage is set for dramatic battles that will determine the final participants in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The intensity and passion displayed by the teams thus far promise a thrilling conclusion to these preliminary rounds.