Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA star and reigning Finals MVP, is set to make his Olympic debut after leading Greece to qualification with a stellar performance. In a crucial game against Croatia on Sunday, Antetokounmpo scored 23 points, propelling Greece to an 80-69 victory in one of the men’s basketball qualifying tournament finals.
“The best athletes in the world compete in the Olympic Games,” Antetokounmpo remarked. “We have nothing to lose. … I really believe we have an incredible team and we can accomplish something special.”
Backing up Antetokounmpo’s standout performance, Georgios Papagiannis contributed 19 points, while Nick Calathes added 14 points to secure Greece’s ticket to Tokyo, marking their return to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.
“It’s very nice to qualify because that’s the first step,” Papagiannis commented. “At the Olympics, we’re looking to do something really good there.”
In the qualifying tournament, Ivica Zubac’s 19 points and 13 rebounds weren’t enough to lift Croatia over Greece, despite solid performances from Mateo Dreznjak, Mario Hezonja, and Dario Saric.
Greece will now prepare for Group A matches in the Paris Games, where they will face tough competition from Australia, Canada, and Spain. Spain also secured their place in the Olympics by defeating the Bahamas on the same day, ensuring a strong lineup of contenders for the upcoming basketball events.
Antetokounmpo’s presence promises to add excitement to Greece’s Olympic campaign, as they aim to make a significant impact in Tokyo after their hard-fought qualification.
