Great Britain – Greece 73-72: Ellis and Olasseni “killed” missed National basketball in London

Without her “stars” and at bad rates, the battle gave her in London but was defeated. Ellis and Olasseni held a “party” and defeated Greece 73-72 for the 3rd competition of the qualifying “parathors” for Eurobasket 2025. The representative band was found from +17 to -12, but in the finale tried to bring… the game with Toliopoulos. The two teams will be back in Thessaloniki on Sunday. The two teams had a nervous start in the attack. National basketball showed a passion for defense, but saw Great Britain put some hard baskets and give her the long shot (8-10 in favour of Galanowhite with two three points). Yeboa took efforts and—having 2/2 in a three-point shot— gave the hosts the lead (11–10 in the middle of the first part). Great Britain then completed the 5 fouls and Greece also got points from shots. The hosts made some mistakes in the ball release as well as in the offensive choices, National basketball had an outbreak and reached +7 (14-21). Spanoulis’ defense narrowed down the British enough, the National found a better pace, Lountzis scored five streak points for 14–26, but Aikin made 16–26 of the first quarter. Delived by 🇬🇷 — Hellenic Basketball (@HellenicBF) With its “weapon” good defense (Luntzis and Muratos helped in it), National basketball raised the score difference (16-31) to the beginning of the second part. Great Britain showed a problem with creation and rebounds, with Karayanidis making an impressive debut and standing out in the rival racket. Playing with three guards, Galanowhite released the ball very well, while Zugris took “bros” aggressively and stirred up the Greek platform, making a streak of points in 22–37. The hosts tried to get back into the game with Olasseni partying inside the “painting”. The Nationals took some “stretch” shots, were missed in many attempts for a three-pointer, lost the rebound battle and thus the difference from +17 fell to 8 (33-41). First dunk in the… big league for Zougris! Great assist by Mouratos! 🇬🇷 — Hellenic Basketball (@HellenicBF) Having taken psychology and seeing the National Greece being missed, Great Britain reached -3 (38-41). Zugris was charged with a third foul and shortly after, Ellis’ shots brought the match to the basket (40–42). Toliopoulos was missed by the three-pointer, but with four straight points he gave a small lead to the blue-white. The good defenses and the energy of Karagiannidis again gave confidence to Spanoulis’ team and the small lead (40-48 in the middle of the period). With a quick streak and Ellis ahead, Great Britain brought the match to the point (47–48). The two teams made many mistakes in the attack, the National continued to be missed and eventually saw Yeboa aim at a three-point free shot and take the lead after an hour (50–48). Greece scored a total of 10 points in the 3rd quarter (!), the hosts put 18 and both teams went to the last period from the same starting point (51-51). National basketball seemed to be lost, Great Britain had a small outburst and achieved 59–51 in the last period (series 10–0 in 2.5 minutes). Hugaz’s three points (basket and foul) stopped the home run. Seconds later, he was expelled with five fouls. The match seemed to escape the hands of the National, with Great Britain raising the difference to a two-digit number (66-54 with Ellis). Moraitis’ three-pointer and Zugris’ basket dropped the difference (66–59), but the second leaving shortly after 5 foul and score going to 69–59. The difference reached until +12, while Greece made hasty moves and several mistakes. About 2 minutes before the end, however, Vassilis Toliopoulos “screamed” with two distant three-pointers, dropping the difference at 3 points (70-67). The hosts put their shots with Ellis (72–67), but Toliopoulos’ new three point shot was missed. The National made great defenses, Mitrou-Long reduced to 72-69 and Toliopoulos missed in under pressure lei ab. Olasseni’s shots gave the hosts a victory air, with Moraitis’ buzzer three pointer shaping the final 73-72 and leaving a bittersweet taste to Vassilis Spanoulis’ team