Giannis Antetokounmpo Leads Greece To The Bronze Medal At EuroBasket
After leading Greece to a bronze medal with a 92-89 win over Finland at EuroBasket on Sunday (September 14), Giannis Antetokounmpo said it was his “greatest accomplishment” as a basketball player.
After his monstrous performance, where he put up 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, Antetokounmpo spoke about the significance of the victory.
"We did it. This is probably one of the biggest accomplishments that I've ever accomplished as an athlete," said Antetokounmpo after the game. "I know I've won an NBA championship, but there's no feeling like representing your national team and representing 12 million people that breathe and live this national team. This is probably the greatest accomplishment so far in my life."
"I've experienced everything in my life," Antetokounmpo continued. "I never speak. I'm not fake. I don't like being famous. I love basketball. And that medal is the biggest success of my life. Nothing beats the feeling when you represent your country. This result is a relief for me."
It was Greece's first EuroBasket medal since winning bronze in 2009.
In the history of the competition, it was the sixth time that Greece finished on the podium at the EuroBasket, with two golds, one silver, and three bronze medals.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Finland,
Giannis' wife, Mariah, took to Instagram to express her excitement for her husband’s latest accomplishment.
“Let me brag for one second…Everything earned, nothing given! You deserve all of this greatness and more,” Marash’s post read.
“During this Eurobasket, we celebrated our wedding anniversary, the first day of school, and our beautiful daughter’s second birthday from a distance, but every single sacrifice is worth it to see you accomplish your dreams,” the post continued. “I promise to be by your side through it all, my love. Keep going I’m right here with you, we aren’t done yet!”