Snarling 'freak' Antetokounmpo hauls Greece into World Cup last 16 | Inquirer Sports

Snarling ‘freak’ Antetokounmpo hauls Greece into World Cup last 16

/ 10:36 PM September 05, 2019

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on during the Basketball World Cup Group F game between Greece and New Zealand in Nanjing on September 5, 2019. (Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP)

A growling and snarling Giannis Antetokounmpo, the reigning NBA MVP, dragged Greece into the second round of the Basketball World Cup in an edgy 103-97 victory over New Zealand on Thursday.

Greece and their Milwaukee Bucks forward will meet holders the United States in the next stage in a group also comprising Brazil and the Czech Republic.

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New Zealand’s defeat meant that local rivals Australia became the first team — other than hosts Japan — to qualify for next summer’s Tokyo Olympics.

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The 24-year-old superstar Antetokounmpo made a sluggish start in China as Greece defeated Montenegro but then lost narrowly to Brazil to make the meeting with the “Tall Blacks” a must-win.

The so-called “Greek Freak” showed that he meant business from the off in Nanjing, nailing a thunderous dunk with 77 seconds on the clock, the determination and drive etched across his face. He repeated the feat a minute later.

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Antetokounmpo, ably assisted by his older brother Thanasis, inspired Greece to a 51-44 lead at half-time in the Group F clash and finished with a team-best 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

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Chants of “MVP! MVP!” occasionally rolled around the arena.

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Antetokounmpo, however, was in danger of being upstaged by Corey Webster, the red-hot Kiwi who plays for the NZ Breakers.

The 30-year-old guard almost single-handedly kept the Kiwis in the hunt with 31 points as they refused to lie down, coming within five points of the Greeks midway through the fourth quarter.

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Tempers frayed in the last 30 seconds, amid Kiwi claims that one of their players was punched in the back of the head.

Australia defeated European heavyweights Lithuania 87-82 to top the “Group of Death” but both teams were already into round two, where they meet France and the Dominican Republic.

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Gregg Popovich’s USA, pushed to the limit against Turkey two days ago, blew off some steam in an easy 98-45 win over already-eliminated Japan.

TAGS: Basketball, Basketball World Cup, Fiba World Cup, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece

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