Tonight’s Greece–Spain clash in Limassol draws all the attention, with both teams stepping onto the court under very different circumstances but sharing the same goal, to qualify for the next phase with the best possible position.
This summer has been a transitional one for Spain, a team in the midst of change and renewal. Yet the prospect of facing elimination from the EuroBasket group stage seems almost unthinkable for a nation with such a strong tradition. And yet, the danger is now real.
With a victory over Greece, La Roja will secure its spot in the Round of 16, finishing either second or third in the group. On the other hand, if Spain loses, elimination will only occur if Bosnia beats Georgia earlier in the day (15:00). That means Spain will know before tip-off whether the matchup with Greece is a do-or-die battle or simply a fight for better seeding.
The 67–63 defeat to Italy on Tuesday highlighted the inconsistency of Sergio Scariolo’s squad. Spain opened with a 13–0 run, but the game slipped away in the closing minutes as the Italians capitalized on key details down the stretch. Santi Aldama stood out with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while the young Sergio de Larrea made a strong contribution with 15 points and 7 assists.
Greece, meanwhile, suffered its first loss of the tournament on Tuesday, falling 80–77 to Bosnia. The game took a decisive turn before it even began, as Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out with knee discomfort. Without the “Greek Freak,” the team looked very different. Despite a strong start that saw Greece up 34–21 midway through the second quarter, the team eventually lost its rhythm and could not avoid defeat.
Kostas Sloukas led the way with 15 points and 8 assists, and Tyler Dorsey added 14 points, but Giannis’ absence was clear.
Heading into the final group game, everything is still on the line. A win against Spain would secure top spot in the group for Greece. A loss combined with a Bosnia win over Georgia earlier in the day could drop Greece all the way to fourth place.
The news from the medical side is positive. Giannis is expected to return, as coach Vassilis Spanoulis confirmed after the Bosnia game. Giannoulis Larentzakis, who sat out due to back issues, is also likely to be available again.