By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
LILLE, France – In their do-or-die game against Australia, Greece got the job done but couldn’t celebrate yet about making it to the Quarter-Finals of the Olympic Games.
Despite winning 77-71, Greece’s future is still unclear but they locked the 3rd position in Group A and also helped Brazil qualify as one of the best two third-placed teams.
Australia, on the other side, will qualify if Spain loses to Canada in the upcoming match; if Sergio Scariolo’s team wins, the Boomers will be out after getting the bronze in Tokyo.
At this point, if Serbia beats South Sudan by three points or more, Greece will qualify for the Quarter-Finals of the Olympics.
“I believe all teams deserve to go through from this group. All of them played good basketball, had good and bad moments, sometimes you need a little bit of luck, also. Hopefully, luck will smile on us”, Greek captain Kostas Papanikolaou said.
Sixteen years after their last victory in the Olympic Games, the Greek national team found success once again on the Olympic stage thanks to 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Thomas Walkup added 18 points, while Dinos Mitoglou and Vasilis Toliopoulos scored 13 points each.
On the Australian side, Jock Landale was the top scorer with 17 points and 8 rebounds, followed by captain Patty Mills with 13 points. Josh Giddey finished with 9 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists in his team’s defeat.
A Greek first half
The first quarter ended up with Greece leading by one (25-24) after a highly questionable foul call on Walkup which awarded Josh Giddey three free throws.
However, that was the spark that fired a 14-0, with Walkup scoring his third three-pointer of the game and Greece jumping to a 39-24 lead.
The Greek advantage went up to 17 points (50-33) with Giannis taking it all the way against three defenders and scoring on a trademark spin move, while the halftime score was 53-36 as Greece had already three scorers in double digits – Walkup, Giannis, Mitoglou – and Australia had none.
A dogfight in the second half
With tension rising, Greece pushed the lead to 19 points (55-36) and Australia tried by tooth and claw to react.
Thanks to a partial 11-4 score with Jock Landale getting the ball, the Boomers trimmed the lead to 12 (59-47). The game turned sloppy and finally, a big three by Vassilis Charalampoulos was the Greek answer (62-47). Mat Dellavedova responded with his own three (62-50) and that was the end of the third period.
A dunk by Landale and a three by Daniels trimmed the lead to seven (62-55) to start the fourth and finally, there was a game.
After a three by Patty Mills, Australia made a four-point game (69-65) with five minutes left and Mills again put the Boomers in shooting distance (71-69) two minutes later. But they couldn’t do more.
Thomas Walkup came up clutch with a three-pointer and a steal down the line to secure the win for Greece.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA Basketball