Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak, is heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. The Milwaukee Bucks‘ superstar added another feather to his cap by leading Greece to an 80-69 victory over Croatia in one of the final men’s basketball qualifying tournament matches.
Giannis didn’t just show up; he dominated. Scoring 23 points, he was the linchpin in Greece’s offense, propelling them to their first Olympic berth since 2008. This moment was more than just a game-it was a statement. The big man was backed by Georgios Papagiannis, who poured in 19 points, and Nick Calathes, who chipped in 14.
“It’s very nice to qualify because that’s the first step,” Papagiannis said, and you could feel the weight of those words. “At the Olympics, we’re looking to do something really good there.”
For Croatia, it was a valiant effort. Ivica Zubac posted a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Mateo Dreznjak and Mario Hezonja each added 15 points. Dario Saric’s 14 points rounded out a well-fought but ultimately futile effort.
With this win, Greece moves into Group A for the Paris Games, where they’ll face tough opponents like Australia, Canada, and either Spain or the Bahamas. The Greek team, riding high on this victory, will need to bring their A-game.
Greece joins the elite field for the 2024 Olympics
The stage is now set, and the anticipation is palpable. Already, the Paris field boasts the likes of the four-time defending gold medalist U.S., host nation France, Germany, Japan, Serbia, South Sudan, Canada, and Australia. These teams qualified based on their stellar performances at last summer’s World Cup.
Post-World Cup, 24 teams were left in a high-stakes battle for the final four slots in the 12-team Olympic field. These were determined in a series of winner-take-all qualifiers that started last week. Brazil secured their spot earlier on Sunday, followed by Greece and Spain. The last place will be clinched in a showdown between Lithuania and Puerto Rico.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s journey from the streets of Athens to NBA stardom and now to the Olympics is nothing short of remarkable. As Greece heads to Paris, the world will be watching to see if Giannis can carry his team to new heights on the biggest stage of them all.
And so, with a blend of hope, excitement, and sheer determination, Greece marches into the Olympic fray. The road will be tough, the opponents tougher, but with Giannis leading the charge, you can’t help but feel that something special is about to unfold. Paris, here they come.
