Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered one of many defining moments of his profession Sunday, scoring 30 factors and grabbing 17 rebounds to steer Greece to a 92-89 victory over Finland within the EuroBasket bronze medal recreation.
The win secured Greece’s first medal on the European championships since 2009, ending a 16-year drought and including to a legacy that now consists of two golds, one silver and three bronzes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Breaks Down in Emotional Celebration
Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and 2021 NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks, was overcome with tears after the ultimate buzzer, calling the bronze medal the top of his profession.
“We did it. That is most likely one of many greatest accomplishments that I’ve ever achieved as an athlete,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “I do know I’ve received an NBA championship, however there’s no feeling like representing your nationwide workforce and representing 12 million those that breathe and dwell this nationwide workforce. That is most likely the best accomplishment to date in my life.”
He added that the triumph resonated nicely past particular person recognition. “Once I win the MVP, my mother is blissful, my brothers are blissful, and doubtless my agent. However once you win a medal, 12 million persons are blissful,” he mentioned. “You encourage 12 million those that something is feasible. Youngsters are going to say: Perhaps sooner or later I may win a gold medal.”
Antetokounmpo additionally made some extent to acknowledge those that have carried him by his journey. He mentioned the accomplishment was not nearly his particular person expertise, however concerning the basis constructed by his household, his teammates, and the hundreds of thousands of Greeks who stood behind him all through the event.
“I like everybody, I thank everybody for his or her help, as a result of with out it nothing could be attainable. It’s my best achievement, to characterize the nationwide workforce, your nation, 12 million folks and attain successful, a medal,” he mentioned.
Greece Controls Recreation, Survives Finland Rally
Greece by no means trailed, constructing a 17-point benefit and holding an 11-point cushion with beneath two minutes left. However Finland mounted a livid rally, trimming the deficit to a few within the closing moments.
Elias Valtonen stepped to the road with 5 seconds remaining and an opportunity to tie the sport, however he missed his third free throw. Antetokounmpo secured the rebound and calmly sank two free throws to safe the win.
Utah Jazz ahead Lauri Markkanen had 19 factors and 10 rebounds for Finland, whereas Olivier Nkamhoua scored 21. Regardless of the loss, Finland fought till the tip, one recreation faraway from a semifinal defeat to Germany.
Greece had superior to the bronze medal recreation after being routed by Turkey within the semifinals. Germany later edged Turkey to win the gold medal.
A Historic Chapter in Greece’s Basketball Revival
For Antetokounmpo, who has already collected practically each main accolade the game can provide — from NBA championships to Finals MVP and league MVP awards — the EuroBasket bronze represented one thing completely different. It was the lacking piece, the one achievement that had eluded him and his nationwide workforce regardless of years of effort and disappointment on the worldwide stage.
“This was the one accomplishment I hadn’t secured but — a medal with my nationwide workforce. And now I’ve it,” he mentioned.
The win additionally constructed on momentum from final summer season’s Olympic qualifier in Piraeus, the place Antetokounmpo helped Greece return to the Video games for the primary time since 2008. On the Peace and Friendship Stadium, he scored 32 factors within the opening win over the Dominican Republic and later delivered 23 factors and eight rebounds within the decisive 80-69 victory over Croatia. Afterward, he referred to as qualifying for Paris “an unbelievable feeling.”
Whereas Greece was eradicated by Germany in Paris final summer season, a basis was constructed for Antetokounmpo to steer the nationwide workforce to this medal run.
“This medal means every part,” Antetokounmpo mentioned Sunday. “Each time I play for the nationwide workforce, I fall in love with basketball once more. I want we nonetheless performed this recreation. I want we performed subsequent summer season, too.”
He additionally took time to replicate on how the pursuit of greatness has formed each his profession and his life. Talking with emotion, Antetokounmpo pointed to the relationships he has constructed, the help community that sustains him, and the internal drive that pushes him to rise in moments the place every part is at stake.
“I’m lucky to have a beautiful household and implausible supporters in my life. I’ve cultivated significant relationships, and I take delight in that,” he mentioned. “At any time when my legacy is on the road I at all times reply. I at all times discover a solution to get the job finished. I felt for a day and half like my legacy was on the road and I like that feeling.”
The subsequent probability for Antetokounmpo to characterize his nationwide workforce will likely be in 2027 on the FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
