España-Hellas game thread

[Venti Quattro]

One from the two 2006 finalists is going home THIS EARLY in the tournament. I think Spain wins this in a close match. Wouldn't be surprised if there'd be one or two overtimes.

[rapliketp]

Some places are offering over $3 for a Greece win. Spain haven't been great, it's the same with Greece, but Calderon and Pau are out.

Do those two really matter, ie the bookies have got it wrong? Or does Spain's game give the Greeks fits regardless?

[Venti Quattro]

Calderon and Pau have been out but Spain's been really playing like hot shit. La NBA is getting caught up in their own hype.

Something's definitely been wrong with Greece. They've been touted as the team playing the best basketball as teams were approaching to the FIBA worlds.

[Texas_Ranger]

Greece intentionally lost all those games. Today they'll kill Spain by 50 points.

[ace3g]

Spike Lee at the game

[endrity]

Lull with the crossover and 3, V-Span playing like shit right now!

[endrity]

I honestly feel bad for Greece, they played as well as they could, Spain started awfully, and yet it's 3 pt lead for Spain!

[Chieflion]

Thought Greece was playing well. Spain coming up lucky and hot from 3 though.

[ace3g]

http://espn.go.com/extra/fiba/boxscore?gameId=300906939

[endrity]

Vasquez has really turned into a special player, I never thought I'd say that 2-3 years ago.

[endrity]

Rubio was in a mess when the game started, but ever since he came back he has been a delight to watch. Truly a wonderful talent! Not even KBP can deny it now, he is taking Spanoulis to school right now.

[DPG21920]

Greece is right there. If they cut out the turn overs (Span) and Spain stops hitting timely 3's, then they have a chance.

I wonder if Greece loses if KBP will say they did this on purpose?

[endrity]

If he has any honour left he will disappear for two months per our bet!

[DPG21920]

Well I guess he will be around.

[Chieflion]

Fotsis' 3 is the first for Greece this game.

[DPG21920]

Greece is on fire from 3. They need to get stops and increase the lead. Even with all of those 3's, they are only up 4.

[Mel_13]

Is there any NT that whines to the officials more than Spain and Greece?

Anyway, 1 pt game going to the 4th. Good stuff.

[ace3g]

"he won't be denied, give that man something to eat !!!!!"

[endrity]

Big Sofo has really improved his stamina. In 2006 he could barely play more than 5 straight minutes.

[endrity]

Fotsis made two bad decisions in a row with those 3pt shots, they needed to get the ball in to big Sofo, he is playing really well.

Also, KBP will not like this but Diamantidis has been worn out by Rudy. Right now, Rudy is owning that matchup.

[ace3g]

demtitties (yes I know that isn't the right spelling , lol) can't play defense at all

[anakha]

KBP must be all http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-smithicide.gif right now.

[DPG21920]

lol the announcers: "Greece upset by Russia. I don't think they played their best, but they wouldn't even be playing Spain had they won :lmao"

[endrity]

demtitties (yes I know that isn't the right spelling , lol) can't play defense at all

Actually in his prime he was an amazing defender, and was playing pretty well until these last 5 minutes. That's when Rudy got away from him.

[Texas_Ranger]

Greeks are masters of comebacks.

Well, not today. :rollin

LOL Greece.:blah

[Hooks]

lol I'm watching the game on my computer and Rocky 2 on TV, the rocky song is playing as Greece is coming back.

[endrity]

They had a chance at this comeback, but missed too many chances. I really feel bad for Diamantidis, he was playing well until the end.

[DPG21920]

Greece tried hard, but they were not good enough. They tanked on purpose and do not have the talent to match Spain. Spain owns them.

[Mel_13]

Greek NT receives their just reward for intentionally losing to Russia.

[DPG21920]

I wonder if KBP will show up?

[Mel_13]

I wonder if KBP will show up?

He's working on his excuses. What do you think?

Officiating?

Injuries?

Alien abduction?

[Hooks]

Greece fucken sucks!

[Penya]

Navarro has just srewed Greece again (without any help from the refs).

KBP, show up!

[TheRealCB]

Diamantidis has been the best European defender for 5 straight years and had a great game..

Too bad they have a complex when playing against Spain forget what great players they can be..

[DPG21920]

They don't forget, they just aren't when compared to class like Spain. But Greece played as good as they could. They just aren't on the level of Spain, even without Pau.

[Henke]

demtitties (yes I know that isn't the right spelling , lol) can't play defense at all

Yes,he can't play defense.That's why he's Euroleague's best defender for 5 years in a row.

During the second half the game was Spain vs Diamantidis.He ran out of gas at the end.That's why Rudy owned him at 2 consecutive possesions.

gg Spain.You own us plain and simple.

KBP,great game by your fucking boyfriend tonight.:lmao:lmao:lmao

[TheRealCB]

They don't forget, they just aren't when compared to class like Spain. But Greece played as good as they could. They just aren't on the level of Spain, even without Pau.

We could beat USA but can't beat Spain?

They own us,that's true.But it's not like they are in a different universe talent wise..

[endrity]

Greece played well guys, really well, they gave it all. But Spain is simply a better, more complete team. They have class at every position. More importantly it seems like they are a bit more athletic, more flexible, whereas most Greeks are mechanical in their movements. I felt that their bench had played really badly during the tournament, with games often turning when their starters took a breather, but they were class today. Lull especially, showing how much depth Spain has at guard.

This is truly a once in a lifteime period for Spanish sports, maybe even rarer than that. Somehow they have been able to come up with elite teams in football (soccer), basketball, as well as top athletes in important sports for them like tennis and cycling. It's really astounding to watch. And they are, I think, the only team here capable of defeating the Americans. They need a couple of things to go their way, but they have a chance if their bench finally decides to start playing like today.

[DPG21920]

Greece just got crushed by USA. The Greece team that beat USA is no longer the same. The current team is not good enough or on the level of USA or Spain. They are solid though.

[Henke]

I felt that their bench had played really badly during the tournament, with games often turning when their starters took a breather, but they were class today. Lull especially, showing how much depth Spain has at guard.


This was the key tonight.Especially in comparison with our bench who sucked big time.

[DPG21920]

Greece bench had what, 2 points?

[Mel_13]

Greece bench had what, 2 points?

3

2 for the savior, Bourousis.

1 for Calathes.

[Henke]

2 for the savior, Bourousis.



:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

What a game by the savior!

Bourousis is the second boyfriend of KBP.It must suck to be KBP right now.His favorite boys let him down big time tonight.

[endrity]

Yeah, Borousis was quite disappointing. One of the few Greek players who wasn't mentally ready to fight like the others were.

[TimmehC]

He's working on his excuses. What do you think?

Officiating?

Injuries?

Alien abduction?

It was the crazy substances the Rockets made V-Span take.

[Pero]

He's working on his excuses. What do you think?

Officiating?

Injuries?

Alien abduction?

Come on, it's obvious Greece lost on purpose so they wouldn't be blown out by the US later.

[ace3g]

johnhollinger

Shame he never came over. Wouldabeen a good NBA player. @CSheridanESPN D. Diamantidis retired from Greek national team after loss to Spain

[MmP]

Greece is the most underachieving team of the decade probably. Diamantidis, Spanoulis, Schortianitism, Bouroussis, all great players. All great team but never got big matches. They've lacked the mental strenght that Argentina/Spain has had to win it all, even over the US.

[Latarian Milton]

even the team US of current version is no match for Espana tbh.

[Josepatches_]

We could beat USA but can't beat Spain?

They own us,that's true.But it's not like they are in a different universe talent wise..

The fact is that we won all the official games against Greece since the 2006 final of the world championship.

[Josepatches_]

Yeah, Borousis was quite disappointing. One of the few Greek players who wasn't mentally ready to fight like the others were.

"The best center in Europe" to KBP

[freddy79]

Bye bye Greece!!!!

[Venti Quattro]

What happened to Spanoulis' pick and rolls? :lmao

[MI21]

Dominating performance from Spanoulis.

My favourite part was the more turnovers and fouls than assists or rebounds.

[Penya]

http://s5.tinypic.com/16hks2x_th.jpg