Declaration of war. Bosnia and Herzegovina ace Yusuf Nukic provoked ‘Greek Freak’ Janis Antetokounmpo.
Greece and Bosnia will play the fourth Group C match of the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket at Kiprianu Arena in Limasol, Cyprus on the 2nd (Korea Standard Time).
It is an important game for both Greece and Bosnia. Greece is on a three-game winning streak and is looking to win. There is still a showdown with Spain, but we have to think about the match against Bosnia. Bosnia is on the verge of losing to Spain and Italy after winning against Cyprus.
사진 확대 Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freakman,” is a difficult player to stop easily. But Nuckich had a different reaction. Photo = REUTERS = Yonhap News
The key point of the match is Antetokounmpo’s showdown with Nerkic. The two players are star players representing their respective countries. He has already faced off several times in the NBA as well as Europe, so he knows better than anyone else.
It is a matchup that Greece can overwhelm in terms of objective power. Greece is a strong candidate for the championship. Bosnia is not. However, Nukić expressed confidence against Antetokounmpo.
“We have to not let Adetokounmpo run,” Nuckic told “Basket News.” We need to build a wall to stop him. Of course, there is not only Antetokounmpo in Greece. “We have to check other players,” he said. “We shouldn’t allow as many three-point shots (14) as against Italy. You have to protect the three-point line while building the wall. This is the point. It is important to prevent Antetokounmpo’s greatest strength,” he said.
사진 확대 “We have to not let Adetokounmpo run,” Nuckic told “Basket News.” We need to build a wall to stop him. Of course, there is not only Antetokounmpo in Greece. “We have to check other players,” he said. “We shouldn’t allow as many three-point shots (14) as against Italy. You have to protect the three-point line while building the wall. This is the point. It is important to prevent Antetokounmpo’s greatest strength,” he said. Photo =EPA = Yonhap News
There is no athlete more frightening than Antetokounmpo in running. He has a great physique of 211 centimeters, but he is capable of rim attack faster than anyone else. Nuckic is already well aware of this.
But it is true that Antetokounmpo, which stands still, is less powerful than running. Unlike the NBA, in Greece, Antetokounmpo, who mainly plays No. 5, his presence is relatively low in set offens, which are heavily checked.
Nuckic noted this part. “It’s definitely different now,” he said. Antetokounmpo is playing more in position 5 and needs to defend as well. In the end, we have to block him in a transition situation and induce him to throw a shot instead, he said. “This is the defensive method and weakness of Antetokounmpo in Eurobasket over the past few years. Of course, it is important for our team to prepare well and that will happen.”
사진 확대 It is true that Antetokounmpo, standing still, is less powerful than running. Unlike the NBA, in Greece, Antetokounmpo, who mainly plays No. 5, his presence is relatively low in set offens, which are heavily checked. Photo =EPA = Yonhap News
Greece doesn’t have a player like Brooke Lopez who can make room for Antetokounmpo. Rather, Antetokounmpo plays a lot of roles in offense and defense as No. 5. As a result, they often fail to reach high heights. This is exactly what Nuckic pointed out. However, it is not known whether Bosnia’s power will be able to properly attack Greece and Antetokounmpo’s weaknesses.
Nevertheless, Nuckic said, “NBA and FIBA are different. Antetokounmpo can hardly be stopped in the NBA because a player like Lopez expands the space. But it’s different here. You’ll be playing a completely different game. There is no defender 3 second rule and a lot happens in the paint zone. Of course, even so, Antetokounmpo is still a player who can dominate the game.”
Meanwhile, Greece and Bosnia’s latest showdown was four years ago. Bosnia won 84-69 in the EuroBasket qualifying round, where neither Antetokounmpo nor Nerkic were present at the time.
사진 확대 Nuckic said, “NBA and FIBA are different. Antetokounmpo can hardly be stopped in the NBA because a player like Lopez expands the space. But it’s different here. You’ll be playing a completely different game. There is no defender 3 second rule and a lot happens in the paint zone. Of course, even so, Antetokounmpo is still a player who can dominate the game.” Photo = REUTERS = Yonhap News
[MIN JUN KU, MK Sports Reporter]