EuroBasket Quarterfinals: Lithuania Focuses on Giannis, Finland’s Muurinen Draws Attention
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Lithuania meets Greece in Tuesday’s EuroBasket quarterfinal, and Lithuanian general manager Linas Kleiza concedes his squad has no simple answer for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“It’s a very tough matchup,” Kleiza told reporters. “You have a major superstar, one of the best—if not the best—players in the world. We’ll play hard and hope he has a bad game. That’s why he’s the MVP—how do you stop that?”
Finland vs. Georgia Set for Wednesday
Finland will take on Georgia in the other quarterfinal Wednesday. Forward Miikka Muurinen, a Finnish teenager averaging 5.8 points while hitting 10-of-11 shots inside the arc, has impressed scouts with his energy on both ends, according to NBABigBoard.com. Arkansas, Duke, and Kentucky are among the U.S. colleges pursuing the 2027 NBA draft hopeful.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo Using Tournament as NBA Ramp-Up
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who re-signed with the Milwaukee Bucks after missing last season because of an Achilles injury, said EuroBasket is helping him regain form. “Having this tournament be a ramp-up period as I get back to the NBA is a blessing from God,” he said. “I’m blessed to step on the court, find my rhythm, and build.”
Georgia’s Government Offers Cash Bonus
The Georgian government will award the national team roughly €948,000 (about US$1.114 million) for its tournament success, Eurohoops.net reported.
Source: Hoops Rumors
