By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In a sold-out WiZink center in Madrid and with Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer in attendance, Greece missed Giannis Antetokounmpo who was rested, and Spain got the 87-80 win behind a huge double-double by Pelicans‘ Willy Hernangomez (23 p. 10 r.).
His brother, Juancho Hernangomez added 10 points and eight rebounds, while veteran leader Sergio Llull who missed the first game between the two teams stepped on the court and scored six points.
Spain was missing Houston’s Usman Garumba who is not yet available to play. “He is doing a bit better and we are waiting for him”, said Spanish national team coach Sergio Scariolo.
On the other hand, Dimitris Agravanis scored 24 for Greece – a personal best with the national team – and Nick Calathes had a full stat line with eight points, five rebounds, and eight assists.
Of course, the second unit of Greece which got the chance to play more minutes than usual, couldn’t cover the absences of Giannis, Kostas Sloukas, and George Papagiannis, with the two last names missing also from the first game.
“Missing free throws and offensive rebounds were our main issues”, said Greece coach Dimitris Itoudis.
Greece expects to have at least Giannis back next week for the Acropolis tournament in Athens.