Giannis Antetokounmpo put on a stellar performance, leading Greece to a 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus, Greece. Antetokounmpo was an unstoppable force, scoring an impressive 32 points in just 19 minutes. Demonstrating clinical efficiency, he made all 11 of his field goal attempts and went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line, even sinking his only three-point attempt.
Thomas Walkup provided strong support with 17 points, showcasing the depth of the Greek team. Greece built a commanding lead, at one point ahead by 27 points, securing a crucial win on their road to qualification. With this victory, Greece now faces a decisive match against Egypt on Thursday to advance to the semifinal round.
The qualifiers in Greece are intertwined with similar tournaments taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. These tournaments are pivotal in determining four participants for the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play across all venues concludes on Thursday, with semifinal matches scheduled for Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
Meanwhile, New Zealand managed a narrow 90-86 win against Croatia in Group A action in Piraeus. Corey Webster and Shea Ili led the charge for New Zealand, scoring 21 and 18 points respectively. Ili's layup in the final minute was the clincher, ensuring the victory. Despite the loss, Croatia remains in contention for a semifinal spot, thanks to Ivica Zubac's remarkable 29 points and 16 rebounds. Croatia's previous 108-92 win over Slovenia gives them a strategic edge; they will advance as long as Slovenia does not defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more.
In Latvia, Montenegro triumphed over Cameroon with a tight 70-66 win. Marko Simonovic was a standout, contributing 18 points and six rebounds. Montenegro, with five players in double figures, maintained a slender lead, 32-29, at halftime. Nikola Vucevic's double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds was instrumental, and the team’s accuracy from the free-throw line, hitting 20 out of 24 attempts, sealed the win. Cameroon saw notable performances from Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe, each scoring 14 points.
Over in Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas advanced to the knockout round. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led with 21 points, while NBA star Deandre Ayton added 18 points and nine rebounds. The Bahamas excelled in their offensive strategy, sinking 13 three-pointers and tallying 24 assists on 31 field goals. Buddy Hield also shone, contributing 17 points and 10 assists. The Bahamas' 2-0 record in Group B positions them strongly. Poland and Finland will clash to determine the other semifinalist joining them.
The Philippines earned a hard-fought 89-80 victory over Latvia. Justin Brownlee was the linchpin, nearly recording a triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds, helping the team withstand Latvia’s late rally that trimmed a 21-point deficit to 10 in the fourth quarter. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points in a valiant effort.
Spain secured an 89-81 win over Angola, largely through Santiago Aldama’s 24 points and Willy Hernangomez's 22 points and 10 rebounds. In a game where both teams fought ferociously, Jilson Bango's 15 points and nine rebounds stood out for Angola. To advance to the knockout round, alongside Spain, Angola now requires a victory against Lebanon.
Commenting on Antetokounmpo's exceptional performance, Vassilis Spanoulis praised the superstar's commitment to his national team: "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."
Reflecting on New Zealand's gritty win over Croatia, Reuben Te Rangi remarked, "It was a gutsy win for our team." On the other side, Dario Saric of Croatia acknowledged the challenge of maintaining momentum after a significant victory over Slovenia: "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."
As the Olympic qualifying tournaments progress, the competition intensifies. Teams across the globe are vying for their place in the 2024 Paris Olympics, embodying the spirit and rigor of international basketball competition.