The men’s national basketball teams of Greece and Slovenia will face-off on Saturday in Piraeus as the two countries vie to make it to Sunday’s final. The winner will get a shot at one of just four berths at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while the loser will go home.
NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is playing for Greece, will battle his NBA colleague Luka Doncic, who is representing Slovenia.
With Slovenia’s win today over New Zealand in Olympic qualifying, it now sets up a fun matchup Saturday in Greece for a winner-take-all scenario.
Luka Doncic vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo with a likely berth in the Olympics on the line. pic.twitter.com/mte9Z9lm7I
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 4, 2024
The news came on Thursday when Slovenia beat out New Zealand 104-78 to clinch a semifinal spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifying tournament at Piraeus, Greece.
Slovenia needed to win by at least 10 points to make the semifinals, according to ESPN. Meanwhile Doncic delivered with 36 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Antetokounmpo got the day off, but Greece rolled into the semifinals anyway with 93-71 win over Egypt in Piraeus, says ESPN.
Both Doncic and Antetokounmpo have been plagued by injuries this past year, with Antetokounmpo facing knee issues and Doncic an ankle and knee injury.
Saturday’s semifinals
Greece and Slovenia play on Saturday and the winner will face off against either Croatia or the Dominican Republic in the qualifying tournament final for Paris 2024 on Sunday. The games are:
At Valencia, Spain – Finland vs. Spain; Bahamas vs. Lebanon.
At Piraeus, Greece – Slovenia vs. Greece; Croatia vs. Dominican Republic.
At Riga, Latvia – Brazil vs. Philippines; Cameroon vs. Latvia.
