With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander imposing his technique and RJ Barrett his power, Canada is on an offensive cloud at the start of the match. The gap is already +13 (22-9) after only six minutes of play…
Fortunately for Vassilis Spanoulis, and the suspense, Kostas Papanikolaou comes to the aid of Giannis Antetokounmpo, to compensate for the disastrous beginnings of the Thomas Walkup – Nick Calathes tandem. The first does not find the way to the circle, while the second accumulates the fouls, and it does not smell good for Greece.
Greece is holding on
The Hellenic selection, however, managed to yo-yo, catching up with the score, even if the physical impact of the Canadian players allowed them to make up the gap once again.
After the break, Canada regained a 16-point lead (56-40) and we could say that the game was over.
But the Giannis Antetokounmpo – Kostas Papanikolaou duo still held on, to finish the third quarter with a ten-point lead (68-60) and thus allow Greece to still believe in it.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thought he had put his opponent aside for good, but the “Greek Freak” continued to fight, while the Canadian defenders fell one after the other, pushed to the bench by fouls.
Really not far from the hold-up
Lu Dort, Dwight Powell and Dillon Brooks must join the bench, and Giannis Antetokounmpo brings Greece back to two points (80-78) as the last minute approaches. The entire crowd at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, largely won over to the Greek cause, begins to seriously dream of a Mediterranean robbery…
Except that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pulls out a “move” that he knows the secret of to trap his first two defenders and score despite the help of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Canada therefore avoids the hold-up and wins (86-79) to start its tournament well in this “group of death”. Thus joining Australia, who had beaten Spain earlier.
Photo credit: FIBA
