Paris 2024: Boomers hanging on by a thread in Olympic campaign despite last minute fightback against Greece

The Boomers’ fate is in Canada’s hands after a six-point loss to Greece in their final Olympics pool game in Lille.

The 77-71 loss to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s side means Australia will only finish second if the in-form Canadians beat Spain on Saturday.

But it could have been worse.

A shocking 28-12 second quarter saw Australia down as many as 19 points – a margin that would have guaranteed an early exit.

Even a 10-point loss would have left Australia needing Canada to win and then hope they were among two of the best third-placed sides to progress.

The Boomers did enough to avoid that hairy scenario though, Patty Mills (13 points) and Dyson Daniels (11 points, eight assists, six rebounds) hitting three pointers to cut the lead to two points in the final minutes.

Jock Landale continued his fine tournament with a 17-point, eight-rebound double-double while point guard Josh Giddey (nine points, 10 rebounds, six assists, five turnovers) struggled in the first half but finished strongly.

Antetokounmpo (20 points, seven rebounds, six assists) kept coming though and, crucially, had help.

Josh Giddey of Australia got nine points and 10 rebounds after a slow first half (pictured: going up against Vasilis Charalampopoulos)

Thomas Walkup (18 points) hit four-of-seven triples while Dinos Mitoglou and Vasilis Toliopoulos both scored 13 points.

Walkup’s fourth three-pointer made it a seven point margin just as the Boomers looked set to run them down in the final 90 seconds.

Australia made just 10 of their 21 free throws, the loss coming after a defeat of Spain and loss to Canada in what’s been dubbed the Olympics’ group of death.

It was a bitter sweet win for Greece, who now need Spain to upset the unbeaten Canada to progress. 

Jock Landale of Team Australia looks on after the game which leaves them at risk of getting knocked out