By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Greece was beaten by Croatia in the semifinal of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Turin, losing the chance to qualify to Rio. Giannis Antetokounmpo was not afraid to assume a large part of the responsibility for his country’s defeat in the match.
“”It’s difficult to leave the tournament with such a bitter taste in your mouth”, he said to OTE TV, continuing with some heavy self-criticism. “Especially after a defeat which was pretty much my fault, while the other guys tried a lot. I didn’t play the basketball I could play”. Giannis finished the game with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, but he shot with 3/14 from the field and made 6 turnovers.
The Greek national team made a comeback from a 24-point deficit, gained the lead, but ultimately fell short in the final period. “I believe we were nervous because most of us are young guys,” explained the star of the Milwaukee Bucks. “Bourousis, Perperoglou fought a lot. Calathes was called with many fouls, but the rest of us are young. That’s why we were nervous and didn’t manage to keep the lead when we took it. We came back, went ahead in the score but we lacked experience.”
And what about the future? Will he be present in the Eurobasket of 2017? “I will be in the Greek national team next year for the Eurobasket. Since we learn from our mistakes, especially us, the younger guys. In the upcoming tournaments we will try to go better.”