With Sloukas (21 points, 5 assists) organizing and "executing" and Giorgos Papagiannis (17 points, 6 rebounds) dominating the hoop, the National team prevailed (93-77) of Great Britain, making it "3 in 3" in the group stage, without Giannis Antetokounmpo who was left apart from Dimitris Itoudis.
The superstar of the representative group who played too much is the truth in the first 2 matches against Croatia and Italy and was treated very harshly by his opponents. Therefore, he was protected (he had some knee problems) by the federal coach, who had no disposition nor for Kostas Antetokounmpo, who is still "unprepared".
The British stayed in the match for the 1st half, with Luke Nelson and Miles Hesson, but in the replay they did not have the strength to respond to the Greek pressure.
At the start of the match, the National team entered with great energy and surprised the opponent (3-8 in 2'). The British, with Luke Nelson "connecting" with the basket, "ran" a 12-0 run and took control (15-8 in 5'). The entry of Michalis Luntzis, who was very good defensively and offensively, gave the representative group the impetus to "build" a difference with a partial 16-0 run (24-15 at 9.30'').
The "water entered the groove" with the internationals having understood that there is no room for relaxation, Giannis Antetokounmpo is also absent. In fact, captain Kostas Papanikolaou's shouts to his teammates during a time-out were indicative of the way the match was handled.
After all, the "captain" was one of those who played at 100% in every phase and wanted everyone to do the same, as he noticed a relaxation (35-39 at 17'). The +3 (46-43 at 20') at the end of the first part did not allow any room for complacency in the Greek team, which raised the tension in the defense in the replay. Kostas Sloukas who was... on fire in the first part with 13 points (2/2 two-pointers and 5/5 three-pointers in 10 minutes!) was the one who gave the... cue to the replay.
His collaborations with George Papagiannis were amazing. The center of the national team dominated (he had 17 points with 8/11 shots inside the guys and 6 rebounds), Slukas was in command guiding his teammates and Michalis Lountzis contributed the most in the back.
The 3-pointers of Kostas Sloukas and the collaborations with Papagiannis increased the difference in the third 10 minutes (56-67 at 27.30''), while Kostas Papanikolaou did an amazing job for another game in defense and attack. Silent had 10 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks! From the moment Luke Nelson scored just one basket in the second half (he had 15 points in the first 20 minutes) the productivity of the British was low.
No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't come back from -11 (71-60 at 30') at the end of the third 10 minutes and the last period had a procedural nature, as the difference reached +23 (93-70) in the last 2 minutes.
The fact that Tyler Dorsey's points were not needed, while Giannis Antetokounmpo was also protected, was something very important combined with the presence of Michalis Luntzis who came off the bench and did the work in the perimeter.
The messages are very good for the representative group who now need a win on Tuesday (6/9, 18:00) against Ukraine to secure top spot in the group.
THE REFEREES: Rosso, Jacobs, Giorgi.
THE DECADES: 17-24, 43-46, 60-71, 77-93.
GREAT BRITAIN (Ranking): Bigby-Williams 2, Clarke 11 (3/3 2-pointers, 1/3 3-pointers, 2/3 shots), Hesson 13 (4/14 shooting), Lottier-Ogunleghe, Mockford 3 (1), Nelson 17 (2/4 2-pointers, 4/8 3-pointers, 1/2 shots, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), Olaseni 8 (11 rebounds), Soko 12 (3/5 2-pointers, 6/9 shots), Van Ostrom, Whittle 9 (1), Whelan 2.
GREECE (Itoudis): Agravanis 5 (1 three-pointer, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), Thanasis Antetokounmpo 5 (1), Kalathis 9 (3/5 two-pointers, 1/3 three-pointers, 5 assists), Dorsey 5 (1/3 three-pointers) , Larentzakis 7 (1), Lountzis 10 (2 three-pointers, 5 assists), Papagiannis 17 (8/11 two-pointers, 1/1 shot, 6 rebounds), Papanikolaou 10 (1 three-pointer, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 block at 27:24), Papapetrou 4, Slukas 21 (3/4 2-pointers, 5/6 3-pointers, 3 rebounds, 5 assists).
For the first time with Ukraine the national team:
Top derby includes today's EuroBasket 2022 schedule for the Greek National Team. The representative group is undefeated and "hugs" with Ukraine in the "penthouse" of the 3rd group in Milan and today's duel between them will determine the team that will "seal" the first place (6/9, 18:00, ERT1).
