Australia have progressed to the men’s basketball quarter-finals at the Olympics, but had to rely on help from another team after it lost 77-71 to Greece on Friday night.
The Boomers needed Canada to beat Spain to finish second in Group A and move into the knockout phase by virtue of a superior points differential.
Canada did just that, prevailing 88-85 in nail-biting finish that would have raised the blood pressure of many Boomers fans who stayed up into the early hours of Saturday morning.
Shae Gilgeous-Alexander.Credit: AP
That result meant Australia, Greece and Spain all finished with one win and two losses in Group A, therefore nullifying any head-to-head advantage the Greeks had over the Boomers.
Australia progress to the quarter-finals by the skin of their teeth; had they lost to Greece by five more points they would be going home from the Games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the scoring for Greece.Credit: AP
Earlier, Jock Landale led the Boomers with 17 points, Patty Mills had 13 points and Dyson Daniels had 11 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
“We’ve got our work cut out now,” Mills told Nine. “We have to keep our spirit high and work together. We just need a chance.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a game-high 20 points along with seven rebounds and six assists.
