Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Greece will meet Italy in the Group Stage of EuroBasket 2025 and the latter’s players and coaches should be more careful with their post-game dap ups with the Milwaukee Bucks star to prevent another injury scare that happened in the last edition of the tournament.
Greece national basketball team
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball 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
Italy beat Serbia in the Round of 16 of EuroBasket 2022 and their coach Gianmarco Pozzecco got a little too excited that he jumped to Giannis who he met inside the tunnel. The Greece national did not expect the jump but he was all smiles for gesture.
The coach said he apologized to Giannis for the act.
“I noticed Giannis in the tunnel. I’m sure he knew what I was going through emotionally. When he first saw me, he smiled. You could tell he wanted to share my happiness. And then I got ready to jump, I saw his face, and he was clearly thinking, ‘This is an idiot’,” Pozzecco share.
It was a wholesome moment that many loved but veteran Nicolo Melli there was some injury scare during that exchange.
“We beat Serbia and Pozzecco jumps on him. You don’t want to think about if he injured Giannis. That would have been a problem in the millions. But that is one of the main images I have about Giannis,” said Melli who played for the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks.
Nicolo Melli commends Giannis Antetokounmpo’s sacrifice
Italy and Greece will be enemies on the floor as they will meet on the first day of the 2025 tourney but the admiration is not lost. Melli was among those asked by FIBA to say something about the Bucks star and one thing he pointed out is about Antetokounmpo’s style of play.
“Giannis is for sure an incredible player. First of all for the physical impact that he has on the game. He’s very consistent about it,” Melli said.
“And even though he is one of the best players in the world, he is very humble for how he plays. He always brings it. He plays with technique for sure but to bring this kind of energy every game means you are ready to sacrifice your body for the team.”
Greece, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after their loss 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
EuroBasket 2025 opening is on August 27. Greece and Italy are joined in Group D by hosts Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and defending champions Spain.
For more great Wisconsin sports content
Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for the latest and trending news about Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Marquette, and the rest of Wisconsin Sports. Stay updated by reading more of our Wisconsin Sports articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!