Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the brink of his first Olympics berth, as Greece moved one step closer to the Paris Games with a decisive 96-68 victory over Luka Doncic’s Slovenia in the semifinals of the Olympic qualifying tournament.
Thomas Walkup led Greece with 19 points, while Antetokounmpo added 13 points in just 21 minutes. The win propels Greece into the final, where a victory will secure their spot in the Paris Olympics. “Since coach (Vassilis) Spanoulis took this whole deal over, it’s been one goal and that’s to get to the Olympics,” Walkup said. “We’re one game away from it. We have to stay humble and focused.”
Doncic, who scored 21 points, acknowledged Greece’s dominance in the game held in Piraeus, Greece, marking the first clash between these NBA superstars on their national teams. “They played way better than us. They were way more aggressive,” Doncic admitted. “I think they have an amazing team. Obviously, they have Giannis. But other pieces are very important for them, too. And they’re very well-coached. … They outplayed us today.”
This matchup was one of eight semifinals determining the last four berths in the men’s basketball field for the Paris Games. Vasileios Toliopoulos contributed 14 points for Greece, who will face Croatia on Sunday in the final, with the winner securing the coveted Olympics berth.
Doncic, coming off an injury-laden NBA Finals where his Dallas Mavericks fell to the Boston Celtics, averaged 31 points in Slovenia’s first two qualifying games. However, he struggled against Greece’s formidable defense, as Greece opened the game with a 13-0 run and ended the first quarter up 32-14.
Greece’s lead extended to 23 points in the second quarter before Slovenia cut it to 47-33 at halftime. Greece surged again in the third quarter with an 11-3 run, maintaining a 16-point lead into the final period.
Slovenia shot just 43% from the field, compared to Greece’s 54%, and was out-rebounded 38-25, underscoring Greece’s control of the game.
