Giannis Antetokounmpo displayed his immense prowess on the court as he led Greece to a commanding 109-82 triumph over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament held in Piraeus, Greece. The Greek Freak lived up to his moniker, delivering an impeccable performance by scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes of play. Remarkably, Antetokounmpo made all 11 of his field goal attempts, went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line, and sank his singular three-point attempt.
Thomas Walkup also provided significant support for Greece with 17 points, allowing the team to establish a firm grip on the game, at times leading by as many as 27 points. The victory sets Greece up for a critical matchup against Egypt on Thursday, a game they must win to advance to the semifinal round.
These qualifiers in Greece form part of a larger series of tournaments held simultaneously in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Collectively, these competitions will determine four participants for the men's basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With group play set to conclude on Thursday, semifinal matches will take place on Saturday and championship games will occur on Sunday.
Reflecting on Antetokounmpo's impact, Greece's coach Vassilis Spanoulis remarked, "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."
Meanwhile, in Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand came out victorious in a tight 90-86 battle against Croatia. Corey Webster and Shea Ili led the Kiwi charge with 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's layup in the final minute sealed the win, exemplifying the team's tenacity and clutch performance in critical moments.
Croatia's Ivica Zubac showcased an outstanding individual effort, scoring 29 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Contributions from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja further bolstered the Croatian side. Reflecting on the game, Saric acknowledged the emotional challenge, "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."
Notably, Croatia's four-point differential secures their position in the semifinals, provided Slovenia does not defeat New Zealand by a margin of 21 points or more. Croatia's earlier 108-92 victory over Slovenia adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing dynamics of Group A.
Over in Riga, Latvia, Montenegro eked out a 70-66 win over Cameroon. Marko Simonovic led Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic contributed an 11-point, 14-rebound double-double. The team's accuracy at the free-throw line was impressive, converting 20 out of 24 attempts. Cameroon saw strong performances from Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe, each scoring 14 points.
In Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas secured their place in the knockout round with a robust display. Led by Valdez Edgecombe Jr., who tallied 21 points, and Deandre Ayton, who added 18 points and nine rebounds, the Bahamian team demonstrated cohesion and depth. The Bahamas also benefited from the playmaking abilities of Buddy Hield, who recorded 17 points and 10 assists. The team's stellar shooting from beyond the arc, with 13 successful three-pointers, complemented their 24 assists on 31 field goals, underscoring a team-centric style of play. Holding a 2-0 record in Group B, the Bahamas await the outcome of the Poland vs. Finland clash to determine their semifinal opponent.
The Philippines also recorded a win, overcoming 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 contributed 18 points and eight rebounds, helping stave off a late rally from Latvia, which had cut a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit down to 10. Rodions Kurucs emerged as a standout for Latvia with 18 points.
In Spain, Santiago Aldama's 24 points led the charge for Spain in their 89-81 victory over Angola. Willy Hernangomez added significant contributions with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Despite a solid effort from Jilson Bango, who netted 15 points and nine rebounds, Angola now faces a must-win situation against Lebanon to advance to the knockout stages.
These results highlight the competitive nature of the Olympic qualifying tournaments, with every team vying for a precious spot in the Paris 2024 Games. As the group stages draw to a close, the stakes are incredibly high for the teams still in contention.