Paris 2024: Spain outlast Greece to claim first win

Spain - Greece 84-77

Spain overcame Greece in the battle of the European powerhouses at the 2024 Olympic Games. Santiago Aldama (212-F/C-2001, college: Loyola, MD) stepped up with 19 points to lead Spain to a crucial win in Group A as they improved at 1-1 record. Greece lost the second straight game at the tournament.
Greece got to a quick start as they jumped off to a 20-12 lead early in the game. But Spain closed the first period on a strong push to pull within one 21-22. Spain dominated in the second stanza. Sergio Scariolo side unleashed 28 points to secure a 49-35 advantage at the big break. But Greece stopped the bleeding in the third quarter. They capped the frame on a 17-7 rally to pull within 6 points 56-62. Vasileios Toliopoulos (188-PG-1996) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (211-F-1994, agency: Octagon Europe) tied things up at 71 midway through the fourth frame. But Spain responded with 8 points in a row to restore a 79-71 lead with just over two minutes to go. Kostas Papanikolaou (204-F-1990) and Giannis Antetokounmpo narrowed the gap at 3-point mark 77-80 with 59 seconds remaining. But Willy Hernangomez (210-C-1994) and Alberto Diaz (190-G-1994) scored 4 points to ice the win for Spain. Sergio Llull (190-G-1987) accounted for 13 points for the winners. Giannis Antetokounmpo replied with 27 points and 11 rebounds for Greece. Vasileios Toliopoulos produced 14 points in the loss.