GRE/AUS – Strong third quarter propels Greeks to decisive win over Boomers

ATHENS (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men) –Greece trailed 40-36 at half-time but exploded for 30 points in the third quarter and rolled to a decisive triumph over Australia on day two of the Acropolis Tournament.

In a rematch of a classic preliminary round game two years ago at the FIBA World Championship when Greece prevailed after Nikos Zisis’ three-pointer at the buzzer, the Greeks claimed an 89-69 victory.

Vasilis Spanoulis led the way with 18 points while Antonis Fotsis scored 16.

Both players remained red hot from three-point range with each drilling two of four attempts.

Stratos Perperoglou also shot well from behind the arc, making two of his three attempts.

Greece finished the game nine of 19 from long range while Australia were four of 15.

Theo Papaloukas had 12 points for the hosts while Davidson Andersen, with 13, led the Aussies.

Greece are warming up for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which they will host in Athens next week, while Australia have already secured a place at the Beijing Games after beating New Zealand to last year’s FIBA Oceania title.

FIBA