Greece won their first game against Italy in EuroBasket 2025 behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 31 points no 14/20 shooting. He did all that in just under 30 minutes.
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on against Germany during a menís basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on against Germany during a men’s basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Problem was the only one who recorded double digit scoring in that 75-66 victory. That is why head coach Vassilis Spanoulis was not satisfied. He thought there were shots they could have converted or better executed.
Hellas answered the call in the next game but it is because they have to as Antetokounmpo sat that one out as some form of load management. Greece beat hosts Cyprus, 96-69, with four players scoring in double digits.
Tyler Dorsey led the way with his 18 points powered by his four three pointers. Dinos Mitoglou also had 18 points while Giannoulis Larentzakis poured in 14. Youngster Alexandros Samodurov, only 20, added 12. All these four guys shot above 50 percent on the field.
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Jul 27, 2024; Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France; Greece head coach Vassilis Spanoulis looks on in the first half against Canada during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The best part about the win was also the execution as the team committed just six turnovers the whole night. They also collectively shot 53 percent.
Spanoulis is satisfied now.
“Besides the first couple minutes when we were very relaxed, we played a very good basketball game. We saw things we wanted to see,” he told reporters after game.
Why did Giannis Antetokounmpo miss the game?
Spanoulis said before the start of the tournament that there will be no restrictions for Antetokounmpo but why did not he not play versus Cyprus?
They are just being wise about. Their superstar did not need to play as they were the overwhelming favorites against the hosts. They are preserving him for a bigger challenge against Georgia in their third game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is OUT today for the game against Cyprus. Greece will face Georgia tomorrow (15:00 local time), so coach Vassilis Spanoulis decided to give him some rest ahead of the matchup against Mamukelashvili, Shengelia, Bitadze and Shermadini.
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) August 30, 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) runs onto the court before the game against Germany during a men’s basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Sport24 reporter Harris Stavrou said sparks could fly against Georgia which defeated defending champions Spain by double digits.
Αρνητική η εικόνα των Γεωργιανών στα δύο πρώτα παιχνίδια στο τουνουά. Πολλή ένταση, πολλές χειρονομίες, κακή γλώσσα σώματος, ο Μπιτάτζε είναι παιδί που μιλάει συνεχώς, από τον Σενγκέλια δεν περίμενα τέτοιο ξέσπασμα. Το πλάνο ήταν, πάντως, να μην παίξει αύριο απέναντι στην Ελλάδα.
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) August 30, 2025
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