The group levels for the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments are getting increasingly thrilling by the day. After showcasing intense and sensational outcomes previously weeks, the stage is lastly being set for the semifinals, which is able to current one of the crucial anticipated clashes between Slovenia and Greece.
This matchup will not be solely electrifying because of the truth that each nations are on the doorways of qualifying to the game’s greatest stage in Paris this month, but additionally as a result of will probably be between two of one of the best athletes within the NBA.
Luka Doncic, who’s the present NBA scoring champion, has already predicted how sophisticated the sport shall be in opposition to Bucks famous person Giannis Antetokounmpo. “Giannis is tough to cease. We aren’t the favorites, however we’ve got to consider till the top,” he expects of Saturday’s contest.
🇬🇷 Giannis Antetokounmpo and 🇸🇮 Luka Doncic meets a bit of bit sooner than we anticipated ⚔️ #FIBAOQT
Who will take their group to the finals? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/zQIwbO9JuF
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) July 4, 2024
The opposite semifinals shall be Croatia, who defeated Slovenia within the group stage, in opposition to the Dominican Republic. Greece, alternatively, did beat the Caribbean nation after a dominating efficiency from the Milwaukee ahead.
“Giannis likes to be right here. He likes to symbolize his nation,” mentioned Greece coach Vassilis Spanoulis afters star had 32 factors in 19 minutes, going 11-of-11 from the sphere. “He’s very humble. He’s a part of the group. For a famous person you don’t discover this straightforward. … He’s about successful.”
In preparation for the match’s first semifinal between each Mediterranean groups on Saturday at 16:30 CET, the Greek tactician defined what are his group’s strengths for this problem, aside from Antetokounmpo’s management.
“This reveals our id. However, we’ve got to enhance our protection. Particularly within the second quarter, I didn’t like a number of issues. It was nice that it occurred in order that it received’t occur once more. We now have to be extra strong in some elements of the sport,” assured the 42-year-old Spanoulis.
The Greek coach is aware of each Doncic and Antetokounmpo very nicely and defined the primary distinction between the celebrities forward of the semifinal conflict
When requested about Saturday’s matchup in opposition to Slovenia, Spanoulis solely had phrases of admiration for the Mavericks guard, who all the time idolized the Olympiacos icon when rising up in European basketball.
“Our relationship is one in all enormous respect, first as an individual after which as an athlete. I don’t have lots to say about him playing-wise. All people is aware of him. He’s an awesome particular person and idol for lots of youngsters,” the coach shared. “It’s necessary these days to have that form of idol.”
Nevertheless, Spanoulis shares the identical form of reward for his pupil Antetokounmpo, as he sees him as a task mannequin for society, not simply basketball. “I’m very joyful that we even have an awesome famous person on our group like Giannis, who’s an awesome particular person, chief and idol for lots of youngsters. We want this type of instance in our society,” the tactician mentioned.
Admiration apart, Spanoulis addressed how tough will probably be to face this Slovenian squad, however is aware of how Greece can cease Doncic. “We now have nice on-ball defenders. However protection will not be solely particular person, it’s group protection. We now have to have the ability to cowl each mistake on the ball, be able to throw the proper rotations, and defend the correct approach,” he defined.
