By Michalis Gioulenoglou/ info@eurohoops.net
Limassol, Cyprus – With Giannis Antetokounmpo falling one assist shy of a triple-double, Greece prevailed, 90-86, over Spain, eliminating the previous champions from EuroBasket 2025.
In a packed Spyros Kyprianou Arena filled with MVP chants, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar in the NBA dropped 25 points behind 9/15 two-pointers and 7/12 free throws. The Freak grabbed 14 rebounds to shape his first double-double in the tournament, alongside nine assists, lasting nearly 32 minutes. Tyler Dorsey followed with 22 points, including 14 in the first quarter, setting the pace for an early 16-point lead.
The team coached by Vassilis Spanoulis finished the Group C schedule at 4-1 to rank first and set up a clash with Israel on Sunday, upon traveling to Riga for the Round of 16 contest and possibly later games. Alexandros Samodurov was ruled out of the Gameday 5 affair due to a calf injury but is expected to be available for the next game.
On the losing end of Thursday’s contest, Sergio Scariolo’s side rallied from an early 16-point deficit and led for 2:35 but could not hold on. Therefore fell to 2-3 and were eliminated, missing a top 16 ranking for the first time in national team history.
Furthermore, the Greek win also clinched a berth in the knockout stage for Georgia, which will face France in Riga.
Italy ranked second, linking with Slovenia and Luka Doncic in the next round. Earlier in Limassol, the team guided by Gianmarco Pozzecco rocked Cyprus, 89-54, to wrap up the preliminary round with four wins in five games. Four players went into double-digits, including Matteo Spagnolo and Simone Fontecchio sharing a team-high 13 points.
Coach Poz stole the show, wearing an Armani suit and honoring the memory of Giorgio Armani, who passed away, and when asked about who he would prefer to face in the Round of 16, he simply added: “I don’t give a f…”
Photo Credit: FIBA