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

The Boomers’ fate rests with Canada after they lost by six points to Greece in their last Olympic pool match in Lille.

Australia’s 77-71 defeat to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s team means they will only finish in second place if the high-performing Canadians beat Spain on Saturday.

But it could have been worse.

In the second quarter it was surprisingly 28-12, putting Australia 19 points behind. A margin that would have guaranteed an early elimination.

Even if Australia lost by 10 points, they would have had to hope that Canada would win and then be among the top two teams in third place to advance.

However, the Boomers did enough to avoid that dire scenario: Patty Mills (13 points) and Dyson Daniels (11 points, eight assists, six rebounds) scored three points and narrowed the lead to two points in the final minutes.

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

But Antetokounmpo (20 points, seven rebounds, six assists) kept scoring and, more importantly, got help.

Australia’s Josh Giddey had nine points and 10 rebounds after a sluggish first half (pictured: vs. Vasilis Charalampopoulos)

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

Walkup’s fourth three-pointer extended the lead to seven points as the Boomers looked to be catching up in the final 90 seconds.

Australia made just 10 of 21 free throws, coming after defeats to Spain and Canada in what has been dubbed the Olympics’ “group of death.”

It was a bitter victory for Greece, who must now ensure that Spain beats undefeated Canada to advance.

Team Australia’s Jock Landale looks on after the match, putting them at risk of elimination