Spain Suffers Heavy Setback Against Greece in EuroBasket Friendly
The Spanish national basketball team, aiming to bounce back after recent changes, faced a demanding start in its first warm-up game ahead of EuroBasket. Greece surged ahead, delivering a sharp performance led by a standout display from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who piled up points and controlled the boards as the game progressed. The home crowd in Athens watched as the Greek superstar carried the tempo and helped his team seize the initiative in the middle stages, challenging Spain’s plans and testing their resolve in the second half.
From the opening minutes, the clash featured both teams trading momentum. Spain trusted its creators, with Willy Hernangómez and his teammates looking to spark the offense early. Yet the hosts found a groove that allowed them to pull away at several junctures, a pattern that persisted as the opening quarter gave way to the second. Greece maintained an edge that Spain could not quite erase, and the world champions were unable to regain the lead for an extended spell as the Greeks built a comfortable cushion.
Antetokounmpo’s scoring burst defined the middle period. He fed off a supportive cast and produced a sequence of plays that underscored his influence, helping Greece extend the advantage and push Spain toward the back foot. The injury to the scoreboard became a mounting concern for Spain, which struggled to find a cohesive solution on the offensive end while Greece tightened its grip on defense and tempo.
As the second quarter progressed, Spain found brief relief through a series of timely baskets from Lorenzo Brown, who energized the bench and offered a sliver of hope despite the growing gap. The visitors traded baskets with determined intensity, yet the deficit remained significant as the clock wound down toward halftime. The Spaniards fought to close the gap, but Greece entered the locker room in a confident mood, carrying a lead that reflected their stronger execution and defensive discipline.
Returning from the break, the home team renewed its push to narrow the margin. The third period opened with a renewed sense of urgency as Spain began piecing together a more cohesive attack, driven by contributions from multiple players who stepped up to provide scoring and drive. Still, Antetokounmpo rose to the occasion again, delivering a sequence of baskets that kept Greece on top and restored a double-digit advantage. The pace and improvisation of the Greek offense continued to pose problems for Spain, forcing the visitors to chase and adjust on the fly.
As the game wore on, the action swung back and forth with a series of crucial moments. Spain’s young and veteran players combined to mount a charge, turning small deficits into opportunities and mounting a late push that briefly altered the complexion of the encounter. Brizuela, Sima, and Lopez-Arostegui contributed important baskets, while Sebastian Saiz and others added key plays that kept Spain within striking distance as the final period approached. The crowd inside the OAKA arena witnessed a spirited response from the Spanish side, who refused to yield quietly despite the mounting pressure.
Near the end, Antetokounmpo reasserted his influence, delivering a sequence of decisive plays that reestablished Greece’s superiority and silenced any lingering belief in a late upset. The Bucks star showcased why he remains one of the league’s most impactful performers, orchestrating plays for teammates and delivering productive scoring to widen the gap once more. The balance shifted decisively in favor of the hosts, and Spain found it difficult to regain control in the closing minutes.
With time running out, the result was sealed as Greece extended its lead and closed the game with a clinical finish. Spain, though competitive and resilient, faced a challenging night where the execution and defense were tested at several crucial moments. The match concluded with Greece taking command on the scoreboard and Spain left to reflect on what adjustments and reconfigurations are needed before the team reconvenes for the next challenge in Madrid, where another encounter awaits before EuroBasket action resumes.
Data sheet: 86 – Greece: Calathes, Dorsey, Papanikolaou, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Agravanis, Kalaitzakis, Papapetrou, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Larentzakis, Bochoridis, Kaselakis. 70 – Spain: Brown, Pradilla, López-Arostegui, Willy Hernangómez, Juancho Hernangómez, Rudy Fernández, Colom, Saiz, Parra, Sima, Brizuela, Yusta, Jaime Fernández. Referees: Greek officials listed. The event took place at the OAKA pavilion in Athens, in front of more than 11,000 spectators. [citation]”