Giannis Antetokounmpo showcased his basketball brilliance as he led Greece to a convincing 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Piraeus, Greece, Olympic qualifying tournament. The Greek superstar delivered a staggering performance, scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes on the court. Remarkably, Antetokounmpo made all 11 of his field goal attempts and went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line, also sinking his only three-point attempt. Greece's dominance was evident as they led by as many as 27 points during the game.
Thomas Walkup made a significant contribution with 17 points, aiding Greece’s path to victory. With this triumph, Greece eyes a crucial victory over Egypt on Thursday to advance to the semifinal round. The qualifiers in Greece are part of an extensive series of tournaments occurring simultaneously in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Four teams in the men’s basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be determined through these qualifiers. Group play at all venues will conclude on Thursday, followed by semifinal matches on Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
New Zealand scraped past Croatia with a narrow 90-86 win in Group A in Piraeus. Corey Webster and Shea Ili led New Zealand's efforts with 21 and 18 points respectively, with Ili’s decisive layup in the final minute sealing the win. Despite the defeat, Croatia's Ivica Zubac stood out with 29 points and 16 rebounds, while Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja also made substantial contributions. Croatia's four-point loss ensures their semifinal place unless Slovenia defeats New Zealand by a margin of 21 points or more, having formerly registered a 108-92 win over Slovenia.
Reflecting on the loss, Saric admitted, "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."
Elsewhere, Montenegro managed a closely-contested 70-66 win over Cameroon in Riga, Latvia. Marko Simonovic was pivotal for Montenegro, scoring 18 points and recording six rebounds. Notably, the Montenegrins had five players scoring in double figures and led 32-29 at halftime. Nikola Vucevic contributed 11 points and 14 rebounds, encapsulating Montenegro's team effort as they nailed 20 of their 24 free-throw attempts. For Cameroon, Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe each scored 14 points, showing a spirited effort despite the loss.
On Spanish soil, the Bahamas have advanced to the knockout round in Valencia. Leading their charge was Valdez Edgecombe Jr., who posted 21 points. Deandre Ayton added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Buddy Hield was instrumental with 17 points and 10 assists. Reflecting a cohesive unit, the Bahamas made 13 three-pointers and recorded 24 assists on 31 field goals, maintaining a perfect 2-0 record in Group B. Poland and Finland are set to compete for the remaining semifinal spot alongside the Bahamas.
In a compelling display, the Philippines emerged victorious over Latvia with an 89-80 win. Justin Brownlee delivered an outstanding performance with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto complemented him with 18 points and eight rebounds. Despite Latvia’s efforts to reduce a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to just 10 points, it was not enough. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points but fell short of turning the game around.
Additionally, Spain recorded an 89-81 win against Angola. Santiago Aldama spearheaded the Spanish attack with 24 points, while Willy Hernangomez added 22 points and 10 rebounds. Angola, needing a win against Lebanon to advance to the knockout round with Spain, saw Jilson Bango lead their efforts with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Amid the high-octane performances and intense competition, Greece head coach Vassilis Spanoulis highlighted the essence of having an all-rounded superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo. "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," Spanoulis remarked.
Meanwhile, in the tightly contested encounter between New Zealand and Croatia, Reuben Te Rangi encapsulated the team’s sentiment, stating, "It was a gutsy win for our team." As the qualifying tournaments heat up across various venues, the fight for a coveted spot at the Paris Olympics continues to intensify, showcasing a blend of emerging talent and seasoned professionals striving for glory.