Although he built a significant difference (+19 in the second period), h National he turned … the otherworldly match of his premiere EuroBasket with Croatia in a thriller on strong nerves, but in the final he won with a score of 89-85, when Giannis Antetokounmpo had to put on a costume … Superman and do everything in defense and attack.

In the blue and white “Mentiolanum” of Milan, the team lined up without Kostas Antetokounmpo and Papajani, in fact, without a center.

The Greek team needed Dorsey’s hot hand to make the difference and the unrivaled skill of Giannis Antetokounmpo to take the win.

The national team showed offensive diversity, defensive intelligence and composure for three quarters, but they were short-circuited in the fourth.

D. Itoudis appointed Giannis, Thanasis, Kalatis, Dorsey and Papanikolaou, while Mulaomerovich appointed Hezonia, Bogdanovich, Smith, Sarits and Zubach. Closing the open court and their racket, the Croats led 7-0 and 10-3 against a nervous and static Greek team.

Giannis’ battles under the Croatian basket, Dorsey’s 3/3 3-pointers and the energy of Thanasis coming onto the floor turned the tables on Greece leading 24-16 in the first period.

In the second period, the national team went out at the same pace, Dorsey and Giannis scored in … a snatch with significant help from Sloukas, and by the break the scoreboard was 40-21. Hezonia tried to close the gap with three points and the half ended 46-30.

In the 3rd period the national team came out to keep the difference and they got Croatia back in the match.

Keeping Giannis off the racket and taking advantage of a failed Greek setup, the Croats led by Simon went to the match with 2 points (62-60, 2.30 left in the quarter), but Dorsi, Agravanis and Giannis ended the period with a score of 70-62.

Croatia gnawed out the difference in the end with a score of 15:0 and reached the basket (84:82) with 1.30 minutes left.

But then John spoke up. First cutting Zubats at 55 inches and then with a nail after a Kalatis pass, he made it 86-82 at 46 inches.

At 11 inches, he made another interception, this time reversing Smith’s 3-pointer, and, to the surprise that followed, added icing on the cake with a goal foul.

Croatia pulled back one of Smith’s 3-pointers in stoppage time.