Spain Eliminated from EuroBasket After Defeat to Greece
In an unexpected turn of events, the Spanish national team, defending champion, has been eliminated from the EuroBasket in the group stage. The 90-86 defeat against Greece, led by an impressive Giannis Antetokounmpo, marked the end of the road for Spain in this edition of the tournament.
Antetokounmpo shone with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Tyler Dorsey contributed 22 points, securing the victory for Greece and their advance to the round of 16 as Group C leaders.
Greece will face Israel on Sunday in search of a place in the quarter-finals.
Spain, who needed the victory, failed to overcome Greece, being eliminated from the tournament after a group stage full of ups and downs, including a defeat against Georgia that complicated their situation.
The match was intense, with Spain overcoming a 15-point deficit in the first half, managing to take the lead in the final quarter. However, free throws and a crucial basket by Kostas Sloukas sealed the Greek victory.
Jaime Pradilla and Mario Saint-Supery stood out for Spain with 14 and 13 points respectively.
In other results of the day, Belgium defeated Poland 70-69.Jusuf Nurkic Guides Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Next Round
Jusuf Nurkic, key player for Bosnia and Herzegovina, scored 15 points in the victory against Georgia (84-76), thus securing their place in the knockout phase of the tournament.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will face Poland in the round of 16.
Georgia, despite the defeat, managed to qualify thanks to Spain’s defeat and will face France in the next phase.
Nurkic, with 12 rebounds, achieved his third consecutive double-double in the championship.
Sandro Mamukelashvili led Georgia with 20 points and eight rebounds.
In another match, Italy, already qualified, defeated Cyprus 89-54 and will face Slovenia in the next round.France Demonstrates its Superiority
Zaccharie Risacher led France with 15 points in the resounding victory against Iceland (114-74) in Katowice, Poland.
France, which had an outstanding performance by Risacher, advanced as the leader of Group D.Luka Doncic Impresses with 37 Points
Luka Doncic shone with 37 points in Slovenia’s victory over Israel (106-96), thus achieving his third consecutive win in Group D.
Doncic also contributed 11 rebounds, nine assists, and three steals.
Deni Avdija led Israel with 34 points and nine rebounds.
Both teams were already qualified for the knockout stage, which will begin on Saturday in Riga, Latvia.
The round of 16 matches on Saturday are: Turkey vs. Sweden; Germany vs. Portugal; Lithuania vs. Latvia; and Serbia vs. Finland.
