The basketball team defeated the Czech national team with a score of 94-88 and reached the quarterfinals of EuroBasket. Greece struggled a bit, but in the end, their quality mattered.

In the 1/8 finals, the blue and white will play with Germany. The big match will take place on Tuesday, September 13 at 21:30 Greek time.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a double-double and led the team of Dimitris Itoudis to victory. Greece found significant help from Sloukas, Kalafis, Larentsakis and also Papapetrou.

The team of Dimitris Itoudis approached the match very strongly. Finding the rhythm through the defense, the blue and white reached the score 11:2 with Papanicolaou. The Czechs cut the lead to 11-6 thanks to two two-pointers from Veseli, but Kalatis with a well-placed three-pointer and Giorgos Papajannis brought Greece to +10 (16-6) with about four minutes left in the first quarter.

Typical guests with Balvin’s two-pointer and Satoransky’s three-pointer reduced the score to 16-13 and equalized the score with another three-pointer from Gruban. Ginsburg’s team ran to make it 16-18 with Vesely scoring double figures (10) with a minute and a half left in the first period. Greece equalized at 20-20, which was the result of the quarter due to Papapetrou’s layup.

The typical visitors went 22-24 with Senala’s 3-pointer, Greece equalized (24-24) with Sloukas and went 27-24 ahead with Papapetrou’s 3-pointer. The Czechs continued the series again and took the lead 27-30, Veseli and the blue-and-whites equalized with a basket and a foul by Kalatis.

Dimitris Itoudis’s team overtook Dorsey with a 3-pointer to go 36-32 with another 3-pointer from Kalathis. But the Czechs had the answer again and they took a 36-39 lead with Bohachik’s 3-pointer and Auda’s 2-pointer. Greece drew with two shots from Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Czechs closed the second quarter 41-45 with Audas’ four straight points.

Usually the hosts went up to 41-47 with Balvin, but Greece quickly gained the lead (45-47) thanks to a three-pointer by Kalatis. With a basket and a foul from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dimitris Itoudis’s team cut even further (48-49) and passed their leader and superstar Milwaukee Bucks in shooting.

The Czech Republic took the reins again (53-56) with a three-pointer and accurate shot from Gruban. Characteristically, the guests overtook with five points (55-60), and Larentsakis cut the score to two with a well-aimed three-pointer. The White and Blues once again edged out Giannis Antetokounmpo with a three-pointer by Keeslink to make it 63-67 in the third period.

Greece, with Papapetrou’s three-pointer, dropped to a point (66-67) at the start of the fourth period. With two blows from the striker “Partizan”, the blue-and-whites took the lead, and then defended well. The Czechs took the lead again, but Slukash returned a three-pointer to make it 72-70 with six minutes left in the game.

Dimitris Itoudis’s team went 74-70 thanks to a layup by Giannis Antetokounmpo and extended their lead (78-70) thanks to a 3-pointer from Larentsakis. Greece reached +10 (88-78) with Olympiacos defender. Three-pointer Giannis Antetokounmpo (91-83) completed the qualifying event.

Quarters: 20-20, 41-45, 63-67, 94-88

Greece (Itoudis): Agravanis, Giannis Antetokounmpo 27 (6/9 2-pointers, 2/8 3-pointers, 9/12 shots, 10 rebounds, 5 assists in 34 minutes), Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Kalatis 14 (2/3 2-pointers, 3/5 3-pointers, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals), Dorsey 6 (1/5 3s, 3/3 shots), Larentsakis 8 (2), Papayannis 8 (4/7 2s, 5 rebounds), Papanicolaou 8 (1 3s, 7 rebounds), Papapetrou 13 (2/2 2-pointers, 2/8 3-pointers, 3/4 shots), Slukas 10 (1 3-pointers, 5/5 shots)

Czech Republic (Ginsburg): Auda 12 (5/7 2-pointers, 2/3 shots), Balvin 12 (6/10 2-pointers, 7 rebounds), Rich 11 (3), Gruban 17 (3), Krayci 3 (1), Kriz, Keeselink 6 (1 ), Peterka, Satoranski 3 (1/5 shots, 8 rebounds, 17 assists, 2 steals, 4 assists), Senal 3 (1), Veseli 21 (10/13 2-pointers, 3 rebounds)