Germany and Greece locked horns on Tuesday in the 2024 Paris Olympics Men's Basketball quarterfinals. The game began with Greece taking a surprising 21-11 lead in the first quarter. They began the game 16-4 behind another solid start from star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had eight points after 10 minutes.
Greece designed its defensive schemes well to limit Germany early on. It collapsed on time and disrupted Dennis Schroder's passing lanes. Giannis and Co. forced four turnovers in the first quarter alone and outshot their counterparts 56% to 26%.
Germany displayed more control in the second quarter, hitting a flurry of shots to trim the lead to 25-20 and 33-32. The Germans did well to limit Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he went scoreless for the first four minutes of the quarter. They denied him and collapsed the defense perfectly when he had the ball.
However, Greece got timely baskets from his supporting cast, keeping it in the contest. Nevertheless, Germany tied the game 36-36 with eight seconds left in the half.
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Germany seemed to be getting into its groove to start the second half, but Greece kept it close. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thomas Walkup kept Greece in the game, while Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder led Germany's charge. The third quarter ended with Germany in the lead by seven points (59-52).
The fourth quarter was a lopsided battle in favor of the Germans. Greece's poor half-court offense didn't generate shots and convert the ones available. Germany capitalized with pesky defense, keeping its intensity at an all-time high and avoiding any slip-up late in the game. Greece scored only five points until the 1:07 mark in the fourth.
The final score was 76-63. Giannis finished with 22 points in his final 2024 Paris Olympics game on 9-of-14. Meanwhile, Franz Wagner's 18-point night made him Germany's best player.