By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Athens, Greece – Only one of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic fit in the Final of the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus.
In the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Saturday, behind homecourt advantage and an unselfish approach to the semifinal, Greece made short work of Slovenia, 96-68.
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Limiting options for Doncic, the home side jumped to an early 23-point lead. Barring an improbable comeback in a packed and loud SEF, Slovenia was well on track to the wrong end of a win-or-go-home contest. The deficit shrank to 14 points at the break, but resilient Greece prevented the visitors from inching closer in the second half and ballooned the advantage over 30 points.
After setting the pace with seven points in the first quarter, the Freak ended up with 13 points, connecting 6/12 field goals. He added four rebounds, two steals, and one block. Thomas Walkup scored 11 of his team-high 19 points in the second half, besides chipping in six rebounds, two steals, and two assists in a brilliant showing. Bowing out, Doncic had 21 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal, but also registered ten turnovers.
Facing the winner of the second Semifinal, Croatia versus the Dominican Republic, Greece is one step away from qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games. The Piraeus OQT winner will place alongside Australia, Canada, and the Valencia OQT winner in Group A of the preliminary round to be played in Lille between July 27 and August 2.