EuroBasket: Giannis scores 31 with 7 rebounds, Fontecchio 1 of 11 shooting, Greece defeats Italy for a strong start

On August 29th Beijing time, in the EuroBasket Group C match, Greece defeated Italy 75-66 to claim their first win. Giannis posted 31 points and 7 rebounds, making 14 of 20 shots, including several powerful dunks, demonstrating complete control. Greece established a 10-point lead over Italy in the first quarter, and Italy cut the margin to 4 points by the end of the first half. In the third quarter, Greece extended the lead back to double digits; although Italy made a late surge in the final quarter, they couldn’t overturn the result. Italy’s key player Fontecchio struggled, shooting only 1 for 11 and scoring just 4 points.

Statistics

Greece: Giannis 31 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists; Sloukas 9 points, 4 assists; Mitoglou 9 points, 4 rebounds; Toliopoulos 8 points, 3 assists; Entorse 6 points, 5 rebounds

Italy: Melli 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists; Nnanna 11 points, 4 rebounds; Spagnolo 10 points; Gallinari 8 points, 3 rebounds; Pajola 6 points, 4 assists; Fontecchio 4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals (1/11 shooting)

Player of the Game: Giannis

Giannis delivered an outstanding performance, dominating Italy’s paint area, hitting crucial shots in the final quarter, leading Greece to their first group stage win.

Match Recap

In the first quarter, Giannis scored repeatedly inside, while Melli responded with 7 consecutive points, but Greece still led 8-7. Mitoglou made consecutive free throws, Giannis scored a mid-range jumper followed by a dunk, and Toliopoulos hit a three-pointer as Greece led Italy 22-12 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Toliopoulos scored on a layup, Gallinari made a three-pointer, Italy’s coach received a technical foul, Giannis finished an alley-oop, and Sloukas also hit a three, keeping Greece ahead by 10 points. Nnanna and Melli scored inside to reduce the deficit. By halftime, Greece led 36-32, with Giannis having 14 points and 4 rebounds, Melli 14 points, and Fontecchio scoreless on 0 for 6 shooting.

After the break, Sloukas hit a three, Giannis delivered two dunks under the basket, Gallinari made all three free throws, and Giannis scored on a put-back, extending Greece’s lead to 11 points. Entorse scored a mid-range jumper, but Italy’s offense stalled like in the first quarter. After three quarters, Greece led 56-45.

In the final quarter, Toliopoulos and Zarenzakis hit three-pointers. Nnanna scored on a dunk, Giannis responded with an alley-oop dunk. Fontecchio remained cold, missing his first 10 shots. Spagnolo scored on a layup, Nnanna dunked again, and Fontecchio finally made a three-pointer as Italy went on an 8-0 run. Giannis scored a layup, Spagnolo also scored on a layup, cutting the gap to 5 points. After a dunk and a layup by Giannis, Greece secured the win.

Starting Lineups

Greece: Giannis, Sloukas, Mitoglou, Papanikolaou, Entorse

Italy: Melli, Pajola, Spagnolo, Fontecchio, Diouf