Starting its epic tour in China on 1 May, the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup trophy has finally arrived in Greece.
Specifically, the Basketball World Cup trophy was spotted by Greek City Times at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens.
The World Cup trophy arrived in Greece today after a long hiatus, taking a break since July 28, when it was hosted in Indonesia. The trophy will be in Spain tomorrow before journeying to Australia on 14 August, and then onwards to World Cup host country Philippines on 15 August.
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Meanwhile, the head coach of Greece’s men’s national team gave an ominous update regarding the status of the team’s undisputed star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the probability of him leading Greece in the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila, Philippines.
Giannis, who underwent a knee procedure after the NBA season, has been noticeably absent as his team prepares for the prestigious tournament. With only a few weeks left before the competition begins, it appears improbable that Giannis will join Greece’s team in Manila.
Dimitris Itoudis, Greece’s head coach, told Harris Stavrou of SPORT24 that both Giannis and his brother Kostas have yet to join the team. Apart from that, Itoudis asserted he doesn’t have any other information to share regarding the Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar.
“They are still not practicing with the team, and we don’t have something more to say right now,” Itoudis said.
Serbia recently defeated Greece, 71-64, in the 2023 Akropolis Tournament, which serves as a warm-up for international squads vying in summer competitions. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists for Serbia, which will play in the World Cup without NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Nikos Rogkavopoulos led Greece with 19 points and six rebounds, while Ioannis Papapetrou tallied 11 markers.
Giannis’ potential absence from the World Cup would severely hinder Greece’s campaign. The last time the Greek Freak donned Greece’s jersey, he averaged 29.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in the FIBA Eurobasket in 2022.
READ MORE: Antetokounmpo brothers’ holiday in Mykonos – See the photos.