Giannis Antetokounmpo once again showcased his unparalleled talent, leading Greece to a commanding 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus, Greece. Delivering an awe-inspiring 32-point performance in just 19 minutes, Antetokounmpo was a force to be reckoned with.
Antetokounmpo put on a shooting clinic, making all 11 of his field goal attempts. His dominance extended to the free-throw line, where he went 9-of-13, and he even sank his sole three-point attempt. His stellar performance was not just about racking up points— Antetokounmpo also energized his team's momentum.
Vassilis Spanoulis, speaking about Antetokounmpo's contributions, 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." With contributions like these, it's clear why Giannis holds a special place in the hearts of his compatriots and basketball fans worldwide.
Thomas Walkup added 17 points for Greece, and the team enjoyed a lead that extended up to 27 points during the game. Next up, Greece needs a victory over Egypt on Thursday to advance to the semifinal round, a pivotal game considering the tightly contested atmosphere of the qualifiers happening concurrently in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Four spots in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics are up for grabs in these crucial tournaments.
In Group A, New Zealand edged out a gritty 90-86 win against Croatia, thanks to standout performances from Corey Webster and Shea Ili, who scored 21 and 18 points respectively. Reuben Te Rangi praised the effort, saying, "It was a gutsy win for our team." Ili's crucial layup in the final minute sealed the victory for New Zealand, demonstrating their tenacity in crunch moments.
Croatia's Ivica Zubac had a monster game with 29 points and 16 rebounds, while Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja also made significant contributions. Reflecting on the game, 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." Despite the loss, Croatia remains poised to advance to the semifinals, hoping Slovenia doesn't defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more.
Elsewhere, Montenegro narrowly defeated Cameroon 70-66 in Riga, Latvia. Marko Simonovic led Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds, supported by a balanced effort featuring five players in double figures. Nikola Vucevic, contributing 11 points and 14 rebounds, was instrumental in their triumph. Montenegro's 20 out of 24 free-throw attempts further underscored their disciplined play.
The Bahamas advanced to the knockout round in Valencia, Spain, thanks to a stellar 21-point performance from Valdez Edgecombe Jr. Deandre Ayton added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Buddy Hield contributed 17 points and ten assists. The Bahamas impressed with 13 three-pointers and 24 assists on 31 field goals, boasting a 2-0 record in Group B. The outcome of the Poland vs. Finland game will determine who joins them in the semifinals.
The Philippines secured an 89-80 victory over Latvia. Justin Brownlee was just shy of a triple-double, contributing 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto also played a pivotal role with 18 points and eight rebounds, helping maintain a lead despite Latvia's late surge. Latvia was led by Rodions Kurucs with 18 points, but the effort fell short.
In another notable game, Spain overcame Angola 89-81, buoyed by Santiago Aldama's 24 points. Willy Hernangomez had a strong showing with 22 points and ten rebounds. Angola's Jilson Bango scored 15 points and recorded nine rebounds, but Angola now faces a must-win game against Lebanon to advance to the knockout round along with Spain.
As the group stages draw to a close on Thursday, the anticipation for the semifinal matches on Saturday and the championship games on Sunday is palpable. Basketball fans around the world eagerly await to see which teams will seize the coveted spots for the Paris Olympics, making every game from now on crucial and captivating.