By Michalis Gioulenoglou/ info@eurohoops.net
Limassol, Cyprus – Greece has already qualified for the Eurobasket Round of 16. Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and Giannoulis Larentzakis (back) were rested after sustaining minor injuries, and the game started with a 34-21 lead over Bosnia.
In the end, however, Bosnia got its second win of the tournament with the final score being 80-77, and can also hope to qualify depending on the result on the last day of the tournament against Georgia.
Thanks to an amazing 18-0 run, Bosnia turned things around, led 39-34 two minutes before the end of halftime, and never looked back. Naturalized guard John Roberson, with 18 points, was the top scorer of the winners. Jusuf Nurkic also scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds, and Edin Atic also scored 15.
“We lost our minds for no reason. We were nervous after that, which usually happens in knockout games, so this was a good lesson”, said Greek coach Vassilis Spanoulis about the crucial second period that decided the game, confirming also that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Giannoulis Larentzakis will be available for the rest of the tournament.
In the press conference, Spanoulis was even more laconic with his opening statement being just three words: “Congratulations to Bosnia”.
It was the first-ever Eurobasket win of Bosnia against Greece.
Kostas Sloukas had 15 points and eight assists, Tyler Dorsey added 14 points on 5/14 FG, and Greece made it a five-point game (74-69) with two minutes left, pressured Bosnia until the end, but couldn’t “steal” the game in the end, having a mediocre day and a total of 17 turnovers. On the other side, Bosnia got the win despite just 13 made free throws in 28 attempts.
The big picture in Group C remains unchanged, as Greece (3-1) can secure the top spot with a win in the last round against Spain, and Bosnia (2-2) will fight to secure qualification in the last game against Georgia (2-2), which beat as expected hosts Cyprus with ease as the final score reveals (93-61). Captain Toko Shengelia scored 27 points, and Goga Bitadze added 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Photo credit: FIBA