The basketball team left behind the defeat from Serbia and, in full force, OAKA beat Belgium with characteristic comfort (85-68) in the second match of the 9th group of the 2nd qualifying stage of the 2023 World Cup.

Now the “white-blue” is even closer to reaching the final of the competition, which will be held in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia (25.08-10.09).

The Greek team fulfilled its internal obligations in the most ideal way, giving unique moments to thousands of fans who once again filled the covered stands of the Olympic venues. Her next “date” will be in Milan, September 1, at the premiere of EuroBasket 2022 against Croatia.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the other match with 26 points, while Tyler Dorsey scored 22 points and set a new personal best in points for the national team (previous 19, which he scored against Poland in the Acropolis tournament).

From the first minutes, the difference in capabilities between the two teams was obvious: a representative group confidently entered the match and achieved such a difference that allowed them to play more comfortably on the court.

Thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who generously gave a few moments, the national team got off (17-6) in the 6th minute, and in the ninth minute Kostas Papanikolaou “wrote” 28-9. Greece did not slow down, put strong pressure on the defense, tried to run away and managed to reach 33-15 on the 12th and 40-19 on the 17th.

The Belgian explosion cut the gap to -12 (49-37), but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyler Dorsey had fun and quickly took the score to 53-37 and 64-44 at the end of the third period.

Early in the fourth period, Belgian Kevin Toumba was sent off for pushing Dimitris Agravanis, with the Greek striker preparing to surprise. The difference was +21 (65-44), and with two 3s from Dorsey and Bohoridis just before the last five minutes it was 76-51.