Greece Beats Spain and Keeps World Cup Hopes Alive

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Greece showed its mettle when it mattered most, beating Spain 108-106 in overtime at OAKA to remain alive in the race for qualification for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Dinos Mitoglou led Greece with 29 points, shooting an outstanding 7-of-10 from three-point range. Greece now needs to win all four of its remaining games in Group 9 of the qualifiers to achieve its qualification goal.

Quarter-by-quarter: 19-20, 43-42, 67-58, 86-86, 108-106

Greece made an impressive start, racing into an 8-0 lead and then moving 13-4 ahead. Spain quickly absorbed the early pressure, levelled the game and took its first lead at 18-17 shortly before the end of the opening quarter.

Chus Mateo’s team appeared to have the momentum and moved 27-21 ahead in the 13th minute. However, Mitoglou had other ideas. The Panathinaikos forward produced extraordinary shooting from beyond the three-point line, making all five of his attempts in the first half and putting Greece back in front at 41-36 with 90 seconds remaining before halftime.

Spain found a way to contain Mitoglou in the third quarter, but Tyler Dorsey stepped up. Combined with Greece’s excellent defensive effort, his scoring helped the hosts establish an eight-point advantage at 63-55 in the 28th minute.

Two minutes into the final quarter, Greece extended its lead into double figures for the first time at 69-58. The advantage later reached 12 points at 72-60, but Greece then suffered an offensive blackout that allowed Spain back into the contest.

A 13-3 Spanish run cut the deficit to 75-73 and effectively reset the game. Dorsey then hit consecutive three-pointers from around 8.5 metres, helping Greece maintain the upper hand at 81-76 with 2:30 remaining.

Greece appeared poised to close out the game when it led 86-83 with 15 seconds left. However, the hosts inexplicably failed to foul on Spain’s final possession. Juancho Hernangómez found an open three-point opportunity, tied the game and sent it into overtime.

Greece remained calmer in the extra five minutes, particularly from the free-throw line. The team also defended more effectively and never allowed Spain to move ahead until the final possession.

With the score at 108-106, Spain had one final chance. Brizuela opted for a difficult shot that missed its mark, allowing Greece to secure a dramatic victory.

Mitoglou finished with 29 points, seven rebounds and two assists and emerged as Greece’s clear MVP. Dorsey also scored 29 points, including five three-pointers, and delivered crucial baskets during the final quarter before going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in overtime.

Nick Calathes provided his usual leadership with 13 points and eight assists.

Greece struggled to find an answer for Spain’s Mara, who dominated around the basket with 15 points and 13 rebounds, but the hosts ultimately avoided paying the price for his dominance.

Greece (Vassilis Spanoulis): Dorsey 29 (5), Larentzakis 2, Toliopoulos 11 (1), Calathes 13 (1), Kalaitzakis 2, Charalampopoulos 4, Karagiannidis 4, K. Antetokounmpo 4, T. Antetokounmpo 6, Mitoglou 29 (7), Netzitoglou, Bazinas 3 (1).

Spain (Chus Mateo): Cárdenas 9 (1), Miller 4, De Larrea 9 (3), Pradilla 10, Saint-Supéry 16 (2), Brizuela 14 (2), Díaz 2, González 4, Willy Hernangómez, Mara 15 (13 rebounds), Juancho Hernangómez 5 (1), Parra 18.

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