Brazil head coach Aleksandar Petrovic apparently felt ready for Greece's star player, reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of Tuesday's World Cup clash.
"When I was preparing this game, a lot of people - even in Brazil (and online) - were joking about how to stop Antetokounmpo. I have six months (since) the semifinal between Toronto (Raptors) and Milwaukee (Bucks), I already have in my head how to stop Antetokounmpo," Petrovic said during a press conference after his team's 79-78 win.
"Tonight, the problem for us was (Kostas) Sloukas and (Georgios) Printezis," he added.
Printezis, a 34-year-old EuroLeague lifer who spent much of his career with Greek side Olympiacos, led his country with 20 points. Antetokounmpo scored just 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the field and 7-of-7 from the foul line.
While Brazil stymied the NBA superstar, the Greeks didn't have an answer for their opponent's standout performer. Former NBA center Anderson Varejao, who turns 37 later this month, finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and a steal, earning a celebratory peck on the cheek from Petrovic after the game.
"Someone interviewed me; they said, 'What do you guys have to do to stop this monster team?'" Varejao said during the press conference.
"I said, 'We have to play for 40 minutes. It doesn't matter who you have, the game's going to be decided on the floor for 40 minutes,'" the big man continued. "That's what we did as a team. That's why we won the game."
