The Daily Star Ireland
Venue & Timing: Semi‑final / Bronze‑medal match (depending on bracket progress), held at the main arena in the host city; tip‑off in the evening.
Teams & Tactical Preview
Greece
- Greece enters with strong pedigree and key leadership. With Giannis Antetokounmpo anchoring both offense and defense, they have a star capable of taking over in clutch moments.
- Their supporting cast includes experienced guards and forwards (Mitoglou, Sloukas, etc.) who can stretch the floor, knock down open shots, and defend well in rotations.
- Offensive style is a mix of inside dominance (via Giannis), mid‑range and occasional perimeter shooting. They tend to slow tempo when needed and rely on set plays in half‑court possessions.
- Defensively, Greece pressures the ball, uses help‑side defense, and relies on rebounds and physicality. Their ability to limit transition points and second‑chance shots is a strength.
Finland
- Finland have been the surprise story. They’ve shown excellent shooting, especially from three, and a deep bench that contributes scoring and energy.
- Their plan often involves getting the ball to Lauri Markkanen, who stretches defenses, rebounds well, and scores in varied ways. When he’s hot, Finland look dangerous; when he’s cold, they need others to step up.
- They push pace when they can, looking to exploit mismatches. Their transition offense and perimeter shooting are keys.
- Defensively, they can be pressured in the paint and vulnerable to size mismatches; rebounding and interior defense are potential weak spots.
Strengths vs Weaknesses Matchup
| Factor | Advantage: Greece | Advantage: Finland |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Presence | Better size, Giannis controlling paint and rebounds | Markkanen is strong, but less backup size |
| Perimeter Shooting | Decent, but inconsistent | Excellent, especially from role players |
| Depth & Bench | More experienced bench, less scoring drop off | Bench has been performing but less tested in big moments |
| Tempo Control | Can slow game, force half‑court sets | Prefers faster pace, transition opportunities |
| Game Pressure | Used to high‑pressure games | Some nerves expected in semis/medal match |
Key Players
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece): Expected to carry heavy load—points, rebounds, defensive stops.
- Lauri Markkanen (Finland): Offensive focal point; his shooting and second‑chance efforts matter a lot.
- Supporting players for Greece like Sloukas, Mitoglou need to step up when defenses collapse on Giannis.
- For Finland, shooters like Salin or Valtonen (whichever applies) are crucial.
Prediction & Betting Angles
Projected Scoreline: Greece 88 – Finland 81
Greece wins a close one, using experience and size advantages late in the game.
X‑Factor: Rebounding + late defensive stops. Greece’s ability to secure boards and get stops in crunch time gives them the edge.
Betting Insights:
- Back Greece to win — they are slight favorites in such matchups.
- Consider Both Teams to Score Over 80 — both teams tend to produce offense, especially in pressure games.
- Over 165.5 / 170 total points possible if Finland hits threes early and Greece opens up in transition.
- Prop bet: Markkanen over points & rebounds if Finland stays competitive; Giannis double‑double likely.
