The Greek Basketball Federation recently announced that its men’s national team will receive the Slovenian selection in a preparation match for the 2023 World Cup. It is certainly “only” a preparation match, but the match in the match between the two superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic may well be worth the detour.
This is a good way to start the new year. While the major international basketball event will be the World Cup which will take place in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines from August 25 to September 10, the Greek and Slovenian federations seem to have agreed to teaser at best the planetary rendezvous. Indeed, what could be better than a duel between two vengeful superstars after a collectively disappointing EuroBasket (out in the quarter-finals for both selections) to escalate the sauce as the deadline approaches?
Because yes, we don’t tell you anything, the duel that will focus most of the attention around this meeting will obviously be the one between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic (with all due respect for Klemen Prepelic and Kostas Papanikolaou). We are talking about potentially two players who could be recognized in a few years as the two best Europeans in the history of basketball. The Bucks and Mavericks franchise player are both having monstrous seasons and, with the approach of the world event – for which the Greeks and Slovenians are already qualified -, will certainly be keen to mark their territory against an opponent. straight for the title.
The competition promises to be more open than ever for the upcoming tournament, with a revengeful Team USA after losing their title in 2019, Serbia and Canada of a Nikola Jokic and a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who walk on the water in the NBA this season, without forgetting the eternal safe bets such as Argentina, Spain, Australia or France. Needless to say, before facing such adversity, Luka and Giannis would be well advised to send a strong message to the competition as soon as the opportunity arises. By the way, what more beautiful setting for such a confrontation than a room named in honor of Nikos Galis, legend of European basketball if ever there was one?
While waiting (perhaps) to cross swords in the NBA Finals in the more or less near future, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic will have the opportunity to compete to prepare for another no less important meeting. Reassure us, it’s not just the editorial staff that we can’t wait to see this, right?
Source texte : Eurohoops