Opposed to Ukraine for first place in Group C, Greece could count on a huge Giannis Antetokounmpo to win. A new XXL performance from the Bucks star who rolls ever more on this EuroBasket 2022.
The days go by and look alike for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece. Already ultra dominant in his first two games in the tournament, the strong winger of the Greek selection had nevertheless withdrawn for the meeting the day before against Great Britain because of knee discomfort. More fear than harm for the Greek Freak, in uniform and holder for this important match against Ukraine. Co-leaders of Group C with Greece, undefeated and already qualified for the round of 16, Alex Len’s teammates are for the moment the nice surprise of this competition. Enough to put a spoke in the wheels of Giannis and his friends? Difficult to put a coin on it, especially since the famous number 34 seems to be in good shape from the outset. The penetrations are linked, the Ukrainian defense can only see the damage. However, the men from the East manage to stay close and even take the reins of the match before the break thanks to the Sanon-Mykhaïliouk tandem. If Giannis shines (he is already in 18/6), behind him it’s a bit of a desert.
Can we see a new upset in this tournament? It’s no, says the Greek Freak. Halftime was good for the Greeks, who came back with a knife between their teeth. Long stuck on the bench because of faults, Tyler Dorsey frees himself completely on recovery to assist a Giannis who has definitively activated the unplayable mode. The choice seems simple for the Ukrainians: take a basket or send the star on the line. Antetokounmpo in steamroller mode, the lieutenants who finally respond, the Greek defense which closes ranks, it’s too much for Ukraine, far too much. The third quarter turns to the demonstration (32-11) and when it comes to attacking the money time, the games are (almost) made. After a few minutes of well-deserved rest, Giannis returns to finish his new demolition business to complete the match without stress. The masterclass is total: 41 points, 9 rebounds, 13/18 in shooting and a very clean 15/18 in throws in just… 27 minutes. No one had scored so many in a EuroBasket game since Dirk Nowitzki in 2001! A new show that must have seemed familiar to Khris Middleton, present in Milan and all smiles in the stands when MVP songs came to celebrate his teammate at the Bucks. Ukraine thought they could conquer Olympus, Ukraine did not deserve it but the step was too high against a Greek Freak more impressive than ever.
Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to have been playing with children since the start of this EuroBasket 2022. Third game for the Hellenic interior, third demonstration, Greece’s next opponents can tremble.