By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
From the looks of a challenge to Greece dominating after the break to blow out Ukraine, 99-79, Tuesday.
Averaging 26 points per game in the first two games in 2022 EuroBasket and returning to action after sitting out Gameday 3, Giannis Antetokounmpo went for 41 points, a personal-best at the international level. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar also pulled down nine rebounds in 27 minutes.
After trailing for ten minutes in Gameday 4, Greece outscored its opponents, 32-11, in the third period. The Greek Freak and Tyler Dorsey combined for 25 of those points. The team guided by Dimitris Itoudis jumping to 4-0 secured the top seed of Group C.
Khris Middleton made the trip to Italy and enjoyed the Greek Freak. Fellow Bucks player, Thanasis Antetokounmpo tallied two points, two rebounds, and one assist in four minutes. However, Kostas Antetokounmpo remained on the injury list.
Similar to Greece, Ukraine had already secured a spot in the next round but fell to 3-1 and short of finishing on top of the six-team group. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Issuf Sanon both recorded 16 points for the team coached by Ainars Bagatskis in the losing effort. Sacramento Kings’ Alex Len had ten points and eight rebounds dealing with foul trouble stemming from the attempt to contain Giannis.
Croatia and Italy clinches
Opening today’s schedule at Mediolanum Forum, Estonia strolled past Great Britain, 94-62, knocking its opponent out of contention for a spot in the next round and also moving Croatia into the Round of 16.
Young swingman Henri Drell put up 20 points and Siim-Sander Vene had 18 points.
However, Italy also booked their ticket to the Round of 16 in the last game of the night by beating Croatia with the two teams sharing a 2-2 record and the tie-breaker over Estonia which has a 1-3 record.
The final score was 81-76 with the duo of Simone Fontecchio and Nicolo Melli scoring 19 points each for the winning side. Bojan Bogdanovic was a one-man offense for Croatia but his 27 points were not enough.
The score was 72-71 in favor of Italy with four minutes left and the hosts knew how to finish the game the right way.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL