On July 6 at 22:30, the 2024 Olympic men’s basketball qualifying tournament enters the elimination round, with a marquee match-up between Greece and Slovenia. NBA stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić will clash in a showdown.
The competition for Olympic berths is intense, with only one team from the Greece region securing a spot. This means that either Antetokounmpo or Dončić will miss out on the Olympics. As they meet in the semifinals, both could potentially be eliminated if Croatia proves to be too strong in their respective matches.
Greece finished the group stage with two victories, topping their group without Antetokounmpo playing in the second game. In his lone appearance against the Dominican Republic, he played just 18 minutes, going 11-for-11 for 32 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, showcasing his dominance with several thunderous dunks. He was rested in the second game to prepare for the elimination rounds.
In their second group match, Greece, sans Antetokounmpo, still managed a convincing 93-71 victory over Egypt, securing a winning streak. The Greek team displayed excellent overall play, with five players scoring in double digits and hitting 12 three-pointers. If they maintain this form in the knockouts, Greece will be a tough opponent. With Antetokounmpo on the roster, Greek perimeter players should have ample space, and teammates need to capitalize on these opportunities.
Slovenia’s group stage was more challenging, losing their opener to Croatia by 16 points, putting them on the back foot. However, they nearly claimed the group’s top spot. A Croatian upset loss to New Zealand opened the door for Slovenia to finish first if they beat New Zealand by 29 points. Slovenia had their chance but fell short, defeating New Zealand by 26 points, settling for second place and setting up an early clash with Greece.
Dončić featured in both games, registering double-doubles, albeit with tepid three-point shooting – none in the first game and 3-for-12 in the second. Slovenia faces a daunting challenge, as their interior game will likely struggle. After being outplayed by Ivica Zubac in the first match, they now confront the even more formidable Antetokounmpo. If Dončić fails to find his outside touch, Slovenia could be in serious trouble.
This is a do-or-die encounter, with only the winner advancing to maintain their Olympic qualification hopes. Both Antetokounmpo and Dončić must give their all, as one of them will be eliminated from Olympic contention.
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Greece vs. Slovenia Preview: Antetokounmpo vs. Dončić – Who Will Miss Out on the Olympics?. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/football-world/14271.html
