Giannis Antetokounmpo’s quest for an Olympic appearance took a significant leap forward as Greece decisively defeated Slovenia 96-68 in the semifinals of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus on Saturday. With this victory, Greece is now just one win away from securing a spot in the Paris 2024 Games.
Thomas Walkup led Greece with a standout performance, scoring 19 points. Antetokounmpo added 13 points in 21 minutes, contributing to a well-rounded team effort that overwhelmed Slovenia. The win eliminates Luka Doncic and his team from the tournament, marking a pivotal moment for Greece as they aim for their first Olympic berth since 2008.
“Since coach Vassilis Spanoulis took over, our singular goal has been to get to the Olympics,” Walkup stated. “We’re one game away from it. We have to stay humble and focused.”
The game also featured a highly anticipated duel between NBA stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic, their first encounter representing their respective senior national teams. Despite Doncic’s impressive 21-point effort, Slovenia struggled against Greece’s aggressive and cohesive play.
Reflecting on the match, Doncic acknowledged Greece’s superiority. “They played way better than us. They were way more aggressive,” Doncic said. “I think they have an amazing team. Obviously, they have Giannis. But other pieces are very important for them, too. And they’re very well-coached. … They outplayed us today.”
Greece’s victory is part of the broader Olympic qualifying tournament, which features eight semifinals to determine the final four berths for the men’s basketball competition at the Paris Olympics.
For Greece and Antetokounmpo, a win in the upcoming final would realize their Olympic dreams, an achievement that has eluded the Milwaukee Bucks star throughout his illustrious career. The team’s unity and determination, underscored by their dominant performance against Slovenia, have brought them to the brink of this historic milestone.
As they prepare for the decisive match, Greece remains focused on their ultimate goal: securing a place on the world’s biggest sporting stage in Paris.
