Basketball-Aussies reach quarters despite defeat, Brazil also qualify, Spain out

 

[August 03, 2024]  By Angelica Medina

LILLE, France (Reuters) -Australia reached the Olympic men's basketball quarter-finals despite losing 77-71 to Greece - who remained alive in Group A - after Spain lost, while Brazil beat Japan 102-84 to claim third place in Group B and secure a last-eight spot.

Spain, who suffered a heartbreaking 88-85 defeat by already-qualified Canada in Group A, are out, while Group B leaders Germany beat second-placed France 85-71, with both teams having previously secured places in the knockout stage.

Defending champions the United States qualified for the last eight on Wednesday and go through as Group A winners.

The top two from each group advance to the quarters and the best two third-placed teams go through on points difference.

Greece's victory, which keeps them in the mix for a quarter-final spot came courtesy of Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was his usual prolific self, scoring 20 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists.

The 'Greek Freak' was helped by Dinos Mitoglou and Thomas Walkup, who finished with a combined 31 points.

Despite the defeat, the Australians secured second place in Group A and a ticket to the next round following Spain's exit.

Captain Rudy Fernandez' last game in his sixth Olympics was a must-win affair for Spain but Canada were the better side.

In a dramatic finish, the Spaniards rallied in the final quarter thanks to Dario Brizuela, who scored 17 points, and the Hernangomez brothers, Juancho and Willy, who combined for 18.

But the deadly Canada attack was led by NBA powerhouse Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City Thunder, who made 20 points and secured victory with a free throw two seconds from time.

Paris 2024 Olympics - Basketball - Men's Group Phase - Group A - Australia vs Greece - Lille, Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Villeneve-d'Ascq, France - August 02, 2024. Kostas Papanikolaou of Greece in action against Dyson Daniels of Australia REUTERS/Brian Snyder

"We know what the next round entails," said Gilgeous-Alexander. "We know it will be a good team on the other end of it, no matter who it is. Nobody is to be taken lightly, but that's why we came, to play the best in the world and try to beat them,"

Brazil's win over Japan in the earlier Group B match was the result of a heroic performance from 'Verde-Amarela' forward Bruno Caboclo, who scored 33 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. It guaranteed one of the best third-place spots for the Brazilians.

"Every athlete wants to be here, at least one time. We were able to accomplish that ... we have another goal - to go to the semi-finals," Caboclo told reporters.

Greece will have to wait for the result of South Sudan's clash with Serbia in Group C on Saturday, which will decide second and third place, to find out if they qualify for the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed teams.

The U.S. face bottom-placed Puerto Rico also on Saturday.

(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Lille, editing Ken Ferris)

[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]
 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.