The reason why Giannis had to wait to prepare for the Eurobasket

The Eurobasket 2025 is just around the corner. Spain will be the defending champion, having won the title in 2022, but it will not be an easy task. The presence of NBA superstars is expected, like Luka Doncic with Slovenia and, finally, Giannis Antetokounmpo with Greece, who was in doubt until this past weekend.

The reason Giannis Antetokounmpo was unsure if he could play in the Eurobasket with his country is that he needed authorization from his team, the Milwaukee Bucks. The Wisconsin franchise needed to allow the player to leave because the amount of his contract exceeded the FIBA insurance policy.

Coach Vassilis Spanoulis provided some good news by confirming that Giannis has now joined training sessions and will fully integrate into the group this weekend. "He has already had a contact session with some of our team players. On Saturday, he will start training normally," said the coach, who is leading the national team for the first major tournament.

His delayed incorporation caused Greece to face their first four friendlies without their star player, resulting in two wins against Belgium and Montenegro and two losses against Israel and Serbia. Although the team showed competitiveness, Antetokounmpo's absence was evident, and rival coaches pointed out that his presence would completely change any tactical approach.

The preparation schedule still includes high-level challenges. Greece will host Latvia, Italy, and France in the prestigious Acropolis Tournament in Athens from August 20 to 24, allowing the team to evaluate their chemistry with Giannis on the court before the EuroBasket kicks off on August 28. In the group stage, the Greeks will aim to confirm that with their star player at his best, they are legitimate contenders for the medals.

For Antetokounmpo, this event represents more than just a continental tournament: it is an opportunity to strengthen his legacy with the national team, a priority he has emphasized in recent years. After his participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics, the forward made it clear that wearing the Greek jersey is one of his greatest honors. Now, with the paperwork settled, his challenge will be to quickly get in top physical and tactical shape to lead a team dreaming of repeating the glory of 2005 when Greece won its last EuroBasket.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La razón por la que Giannis ha tenido que esperar para preparar el Eurobasket