FIBA - Greece vs United States 101-95, Semi-Final
SAITAMA (FIBA World Championship) - Greece lowered the boom on the gold medal hopes of the United States with an awesome performance in the semi-finals of the FIBA World Championship.
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SAITAMA (FIBA World Championship) - Greece lowered the boom on the gold medal hopes of the United States with an awesome performance in the semi-finals of the FIBA World Championship.
The European champions, who trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half but fought back to take a 45-41 lead at the interval, prevailed 101-95 to advance to the final here in Japan.
They now await the winner of Spain's last four clash against Argentina.
In a battle of unbeaten teams, Carmelo Anthony had a game-high 27 points for the Americans but it wasn't enough.
The game is sure to bring back memories of the 1987 European Championship final for Greece when they stunned the Soviet Union.
Panagatios Yannakis, a guard on that 87 team and now the coach of this Greek squad, and his players have made sure they will leave a lasting imprint on the international game.
"It's an unbelievable game," said Yannakis.
"I think this game has promoted basketball. My team has great spirit, but above all, they have great character. They waited, they believed and they never lost their confidence.
"They didn't panic.
"We knew that in this tournament, the United States were playing a lot better than they had in other tournaments, which is why I have to congratulate my players.
"I hope that people understand that European basketball is not only about dribbling and shooting."
Vasilis Spanoulis, who is leaving Panathinaikos for the NBA's Houston Rockets next season, had 22 points to lead Greece.
Big man Sofoklis Schortsanitis was a player the Americans simply could not contain. The 125-kilogram center finished with 14 points, many of them scored on strong moves inside.
Joe Johnson's three-pointer with 6:27 left in the second quarter gave the US a 33-31 lead, but Greece did not panic.
After Sofoklis Schortsanitis scored eight straight points in his team's 10-2 run at the end of the second quarter, they led 43-38.
The Greeks were in front for the rest of the game.
The European side struggled for points early in the contest, but in the third quarter when they took a stranglehold on the semi-final, it seemed they could do no wrong.
Antonis Fotsis' three-pointer gave them a 50-43 lead, and they always had an answer for US baskets.
Kirk Hinrich followed with a three-ball, but Fotsis scored down low for a 52-46 advantage.
Mike Krzyzewski had his team increase the defensive pressure in the half-court, but Greece beat double-teams with passes into the lane for lay-ups.
The United States hurt themselves at the free throw line, making just 11 of 17 (65%) in the first half and 20 of 34 (59%) for the game.
Greece were 23 of 33 (70%) at the line for the game.
The United States caused problems for the Greeks in the first quarter with their rebounding, and went to half-time with 10 offensive boards.
They finished with 34 to 28 for Greece.
The pressure defense that was expected of the Americans never arrived, however, with Greece turning the ball over just 12 times in the game.
The US finished with 10 turnovers of their own.
By Jeff Taylor
FIBA