Greek basketball phenom Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the verge of clinching his inaugural spot in the Olympics. Antetokounmpo and his team secured a spot in the final of the Olympic qualifier, after beating Slovenia 96-68, with Luka Doncic leading the opposing team. The victory puts Greece only one match from qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Greece is driven by a joint effort from the team.
Thomas Walkup led Greece’s attack with 19 points, while Antetokounmpo added 13 points in only 21 minutes on the court. The Greek team delivered a strong and united display, effectively stopping Slovenia’s top player Luka Doncic, who, despite scoring 21 points, was unable to change the outcome for his team.
Walkup mentioned that ever since coach Vassilis Spanoulis assumed control, our main goal has been to secure a spot in the Olympics. We are only a single game from reaching our goal. We must stay humble and keep our focus.
The initial meeting of NBA giants
This semifinal showdown was the inaugural meeting between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic competing for their senior national squads. Even though Doncic scored an average of 31 points in the last two qualifying games, Greece’s strategic and aggressive gameplay controlled the court.
Lumberjacks on the world stage!
Former @SFA_MBB standout, Thomas Walkup, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Greece national team, defeated Luka Doncic and Slovenia to advance to the final of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. 🪓🏀 #AxeEm
📸 courtesy of @FIBA pic.twitter.com/96SEevQ1BF
— Stephen F. Austin State University (@SFASU) July 6, 2024
Their performance outshined ours. They were much more intense,” Doncic confessed. “I believe their team is incredible.” Clearly, Giannis is a key player for them, but the other members are also crucial. And their coaching is excellent. … They were the better team today.”
Establishing superiority from the beginning
Greece established dominance from the beginning, beginning the game with a 13-0 run and finishing the first quarter with a 32-14 advantage. Their lead had grown to 47-33 by the end of the first half, owing to their steady offense and strong defense. During the third quarter, Greece extended their lead even more with an 11-3 run, heading into the last quarter with a comfortable 16-point advantage.
Superiority in statistics
The difference in shooting percentage between Greece and Slovenia was significant, with Greece shooting 54% (34-for-70) and Slovenia shooting 43% (23-for-54). Greece controlled the boards as well, out-rebounding Slovenia 38-25.
Last leg of journey to Paris.
Vasileios Toliopoulos contributed 14 points for Greece, and the team is now waiting for the outcome of the Dominican Republic and Croatia semifinal match. The outcome of Sunday’s ultimate showdown will decide which team earns a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Other Semi final matches happening in different parts of the world.
The Olympic qualifying competition includes various semifinal matches in various places like Spain, Latvia, and Puerto Rico. Every match will determine which teams will be added to the countries that have already secured their spots in the men’s basketball competition in Paris.
Anticipating the future
Antetokounmpo’s path to the Olympics has been defined by his dedication and perseverance. Thanks to his leadership and the strong teamwork in Greece, they are on the verge of qualifying for the Olympics. While getting ready for the last match, the team continues to concentrate on their main objective: to showcase Greece at the Olympic Games.
The Path to Paris
The approaching final will truly assess Greece’s readiness and abilities. The team’s potential to compete at the highest level was showcased in their performance against Slovenia. Winning the final would not just make Antetokounmpo’s dream come true, but also be a major milestone for Greek basketball.
Final Reflections
Excitement grows as Greece nears their last qualifying game. The team’s progression, driven by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s leadership and coach Vassilis Spanoulis’s strategic direction, showcases their dedication to achieving excellence. With the world watching, Greece is on the brink of a groundbreaking moment at the Olympics, prepared to make history.