Brazil, Greece, and Spain Secure Spots for 2024 Olympic Basketball Tournament
In a thrilling week of basketball, Brazil, Greece, and Spain clinched their spots for the 2024 Olympic Games following intense qualification tournaments. These high-stakes competitions saw 24 teams battling for just a few coveted slots, with games held across Latvia, Greece, Spain, and Puerto Rico.
The basketball portion of the upcoming Olympics will tip off on July 27 in Lille, but the road to qualification was far from straightforward. As of Sunday, only eight teams remained, each hoping to secure their place in the prestigious tournament.
Brazil emerged victorious in Riga, Latvia, dominating the home team with a decisive 94-69 win in the finals. Greece, after a 16-year absence, made a triumphant return to the Olympic stage by defeating Croatia 80-69 in Athens. This victory marks a significant milestone for Greece, who will be represented by NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo for the first time in Olympic history. In their path to qualification, Greece also knocked out Luka Dončić’s Slovenia team on Saturday, underscoring their tenacity and skill.
Not to be outdone, Spain showcased their prowess in Valencia, overcoming the Bahamas with an 86-78 victory. The Spanish team's journey to qualification included a challenging semifinals match against Finland, leading to their final game against the Bahamas.
These victories were part of a week filled with memorable and intense games. Lithuania displayed their strength by defeating Mexico in the semifinals before putting up a formidable fight against Puerto Rico. Brazil overcame Montenegro 81-72 on July 2, a testament to their resilience and skill. Other notable matches included Spain's overwhelming 104-59 victory over Lebanon and Greece’s 93-71 win over Egypt on July 4.
Croatia managed to defeat Slovenia 108-92, while Italy delivered a stunning performance with a 114-53 victory over Bahrain. In a nail-biting game, the Philippines narrowly lost to Georgia, 94-96. Cameroon also captured attention with a surprising 77-74 victory over Brazil. On the other hand, Puerto Rico cruised past Bahrain with a 99-56 win.
France, as the host nation, has already secured its spot in the Olympics, and they will join nine other teams that have qualified for the 2024 Games. These teams include Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Serbia, South Sudan, and the United States. With the addition of Brazil, Greece, and Spain, the lineup for the Olympic basketball tournament is shaping up to be competitive and exciting.
The qualification tournaments were broadcast globally, allowing basketball fans around the world to witness the intense competition and outstanding performances from teams vying for Olympic glory. As the anticipation builds for the start of the Olympics on July 27, basketball enthusiasts can look forward to a summer filled with elite talent and thrilling matchups in Lille.