Canada Men's Basketball Team Secures Historic Olympic Victory Over Greece
After a 21-year hiatus, Canada’s men’s basketball team has triumphantly returned to the Olympic win column, securing an 86-79 victory over Greece in their Group A opener at the Paris Olympics. This marks Canada's first Olympic win since the 2000 Sydney Games and sets a promising tone for their Olympic campaign.
Propelled by star performances from RJ Barrett, who notched 23 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who added 21, Canada demonstrated resilience and skill against a formidable Greek squad. Dillon Brooks also made a substantial contribution with 14 points, supporting the team’s scoring efforts.
Throughout the game, Canada managed to establish and sustain a lead, at one point outpacing Greece by 16 points. However, Greece, led by an on-fire Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored a game-high 34 points, mounted a fierce comeback. The tension peaked in the final minute of play when Vasilis Toilopoulos delivered a critical score, slicing Canada’s lead to just four points. A subsequent turnover by Canada allowed Antetokounmpo to slam home a dunk, further narrowing the gap to 80-78.
With the game hanging in the balance, Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up when it counted most. His clutch score with 42.8 seconds remaining widened Canada's lead back to four points, creating breathing room for the Canadian side. The intensity of the match was palpable, underscored by 52 fouls called and both teams earning 32 free-throw opportunities each.
Canada's victory in this Olympic opener is not an isolated achievement but the culmination of their impressive form shown in international tournaments. The team earned their place in the Olympic tournament by clinching a bronze medal at the World Cup in the Philippines last summer, signaling their resurgence on the global stage.
As the Canadian men's basketball team eyes further successes in Paris, their gritty win over Greece could well be the catalyst for a memorable Olympic journey. With key players like Barrett, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Brooks firing on all cylinders, and lessons learned from a tightly contested opener, Canada might just be on the verge of a new golden era in international basketball.