By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
A strong test for two teams that are going to play in Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, took place in Athens. Greece outperformed Turkey on both ends of the floor, winning 78 – 52.
Kostas Koufos finished the game with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks, while Giannis Antetokounmpo added 13 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. In the second half, Ioannis Papapetrou dominated the court with 15 points and 6 rebounds.
Semih Erden (15 points, 4 rebounds) and Cedi Osman (12 points, 5 rebounds) were probably the few redeeming qualities of Turkey that lacked an offensive rhythm in its game.
While the Greek national team had already gained the upper hand in the first half (42-34) , thanks to a show by the team’s representatives in the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kostas Koufos, it was in the third period that the point difference between the two teams exploded even to 20+ numbers.
The Turkish players struggled to score a basket against the Greek defense, while their opponents ran the court in transition with any given opportunity, multiplying their options on offense.
Since the hosts of the match didn’t relax and kept the same intensity in their game, the final period had nothing less than a procedural character.