By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Focusing on the emotional jersey retirement ceremony of Greek great Nikos Galis before tipoff, Greece went on to defeat Slovenia, 88-77, in Athens Friday.
The prep game served as an unofficial rematch of the clash between the two sides in Ljubljana Wednesday. Opening up the evening, Greek basketball legend and Hall of Fame Nick Galis saw his #4 international jersey getting officially retired.
Konstantinos Mitoglou, among the numerous offseason additions to Panathinaikos, packing an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double to go with six assists and two steals paved the way for the team coached by Dimitris Itoudis. Michalis Lountzis of Olympiacos followed with 17 points to his name.
On the losing end of the prep game, Luka Doncic went for 18 points but did not play in the second half due to injury. His side, guided by Aleksander Sekulic, saw the separation ballooning to 20 points with the Dallas Mavericks leader unavailable after the break.
Probably no Luka in the second half pic.twitter.com/cBYQWdEMEH
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 4, 2023
A scary fall following a dunk led Vlatko Cancar to an early exit as well. The Denver Nuggets forward hurting his left knee was carried off the court.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look good for Vlatko Cancarpic.twitter.com/GC3Q2vuCPB
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 4, 2023
More prep games heading to Asia
Up next for Greece is the 32nd Aegean Acropolis Tournament. Hosting Serbia Tuesday and Italy Thursday mark the remaining preparation games before traveling to Asia. Additional friendly contests versus the USA and Germany in Abu Dhabi will complete the schedule before launching official action and Group C opposite Jordan, the USA, and New Zealand in Pasay.
Slovenia will end up in Okinawa City for Group F of the preliminary round of the World Cup. Building up to facing Venezuela, Georgia, and Cape Verde, the next prep games feature Croatia in Ljubljana Tuesday, Spain and the USA in Malaga, and Japan in Tokyo.