A team called Spain beat a majestic player named Giannis Antetokounmpo. The team defeated Greece 84-77 in Lille, an essential victory to stay alive in the tournament after the opening defeat against Australia and waiting to face Canada next Friday (17.15). The two group winners and two of the third best teams advance to the quarterfinals, and Spain has at least earned the right to bid to advance to the next round. The match required overcoming a man capable of everything like Antetokounmpo, author of 27 points and 11 rebounds, unstoppable when he was heading for the basket, a physical prodigy and one of the best players on the planet. Stopping him (or trying to) was a union task, a job for everyone, the symbol of this Spain of many hands and many hearts, all rowing in the same direction. Aldama (19 points and 12 rebounds), who continues to assume more and more roles in the group, and Llull (13 points and 11 assists) emerged again to unseat the team coached by the legendary Vassilis Spanoulis.
The Anteto effect was evident in the first sequence. Willy missed the shot in front of the wall and on the opposite backboard the Greek penetrated, magnetized two defenders and his double pass to the outside was converted by Calathes into the first triple of the match. Spain tried to attack the giant with Aldama taking him out of the paint, but Anteto has a thousand faces: he receives the ball on the outside, dribbles, accelerates with his big body and dunks, all in the blink of an eye. Willy was charged with two fouls very soon and headed for the bench. Garuba inherited the mission of handcuffing the star and there the Spaniard exposes all his tonnage, although when Anteto bodies he is a heavyweight impossible to stop. The star hit inside, and Calathes continued to dribble outside (10-17). Anteto flew over any ground player to send a ball that was playing in the hoop after a layup by the point guard into the back of the net. He does not mince his words. The Spanish fuse was lit first by Aldama, the most lucid center in attack, and then by Llull. Two triples by the shooting guard, the second one a tangerine of his at the buzzer, and the defensive sweat of Garuba led the reaction before the first break (21-22). Between Llull and Aldama they added 18 points in that stretch.
Anteto, who had played every second, took a breather. It was time for a truce and another outside bingo by Llull put the team ahead for the first time (24-22). The task of closing the rebound in their own basket remained pending, the condemnation against Australia, but Spain already had a different face. Rudy, an old dog, unhinged Toliopoulos with an unsportsmanlike foul, and he fine-tuned from the outside. Antetokounmpo returned and Spain put the system of help in motion to stop the leader of Greece. This time it was Pradilla’s turn to roll up his sleeves and the power forward not only fulfilled the darkest tasks, but also excelled when it came to adding points to the team’s bag. Llull continued plugged in to take the helm firmly and Abrines and Brizuela hammered the Greek hoop from the perimeter. The game required every drop of dedication in defense, every centimeter conquered. Spain embroidered in that second quarter with a partial of 28-13 to catch the break with a good lead: 49-35.
Four points from Antetokounmpo in one minute anticipated where Greece’s offense would come from. Balls to the best. The Spanish plan was different. In the absence of geniuses like those of before, the cake is shared. Two consecutive triples from Walkup and Papanikolaou and a superb dunk from Anteto after grabbing the offensive rebound closed the gap (55-47). Willy then took the plunge, having returned after a second quarter in the thinking chair. And Aldama caused an offensive foul by Antetokounmpo, who charged like a tank. Suddenly a rivalry opened up between the only two NBA men in the game. Greece is a fearsome rival when the boiler heats up and a triple from Toliopoulos in the last action of the third period raised the electricity even more at the Pierre Mauroy (62-56).
Two plus one from, who else, Mr. Giannis Antetokounmpo. Another basket in a one-on-one with Pradilla, who doesn’t need to be mentioned… Spain was under attack and had a hard time finding space to shoot on the opposing court, supported by the three-pointers of Rudy and Juancho. Greece also responded with missiles from Toliopoulos. And Anteto left an all-star poster with a run and a huge dunk against Aldama. It didn’t matter which player was in front of him (71-71). Rudy had been knocked out by a blow to the head received from Juancho in the fight for a rebound. The captain never backs down from any fight. At 39 years old, in his sixth Games, his body will be battered, but his passion is steel. Aldama blocked and smashed the Greek hoop, Papanikolaou scored from distance, Anteto fired… The match was decided in a flash. The NBA star had a three-pointer to tie the game in the final minute, but this time he missed. Spain resisted the Greek emperor and, once again, the strength of its group shone through to stay alive in the Olympic Games.
You can follow Morning Express Sports on Facebook and Xor sign up here to receive the Daily newsletter of the Paris Olympic Games.