In a thrilling quarterfinal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Germany surged in the second half to secure a 76-63 victory over Greece, sending the formidable Giannis Antetokounmpo and his team home. Despite a roaring start from Giannis, the combined efforts of Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder propelled Germany into the semifinals on Tuesday.
Greece had narrowly made it into the knockout stage by defeating Japan in their final group game, while Germany had dominated their group, going 3-0 and delivering a decisive win over France. Despite being the underdogs, Greece came out swinging in Paris. They disrupted Germany’s fluid offense by putting multiple defenders on Schroder, and Giannis capitalized on transition opportunities, scoring 10 points in the first six minutes and helping his team to an 18-6 lead.
Germany struggled early but gradually found their footing, thanks to a strong performance from their bench. With Schroder under intense pressure, head coach Gordon Herbert adjusted by taking the ball out of his hands. Role players like Mo Wagner and Nick Weiler-Babb found their rhythm, and Germany began to close the gap. By the early second quarter, the deficit was down to five points, and by halftime, the game was tied at 36.
From that point, it felt inevitable that Germany would take control. Giannis delivered a heroic performance, leading all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He received some support from Thomas Walkup and Konstantinos Papanikolaou, who together hit 4-of-10 from three-point range. However, the rest of the Greek team struggled, shooting just 5-of-15 in the second half as Germany’s defense walled off the paint and forced them into tough shots.
In contrast, Germany’s stars began to shine. Schroder and Wagner combined for 20 of Germany’s 40 second-half points, building a seven-point lead by the end of the third quarter. This effectively sealed the game. Wagner led Germany with 18 points on 8-of-17 shooting, while Schroder, despite a slow start, contributed 15 points, including a crucial long-range three-pointer late in the fourth quarter.
Germany’s performance in the quarterfinals was a testament to their resilience and adaptability. Though they didn’t replicate the dominance they displayed in the group stage, they showed they could handle adversity and adjust their strategy effectively. This bodes well for their semifinal matchup against either France or Canada, where the competition will only intensify.
As Germany moves forward with eyes on a gold medal, they can take pride in their ability to stay composed and execute under pressure. For Giannis and Greece, the journey ends here, but not without a valiant fight that showcased the brilliance of one of the NBA’s brightest stars.
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