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Greek basketball faced a significant setback as the national team suffered two consecutive surprising defeats during the initial phase of the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers. The first loss occurred on July 1, when Greece fell to Romania 73-66 despite holding a substantial lead of 58-44 early in the game. Just three days later, the team experienced another shock defeat, losing 71-56 to Portugal at home in the final match of the first round. These results have raised serious concerns about the team's performance and preparation heading into the second phase of the qualification process.

The Greek squad struggled offensively in both matches, failing to capitalize on opportunities and maintaining a consistent level of play throughout the games. In the match against Romania, Greece initially dominated but then faltered, allowing Romania to mount a comeback. Similarly, against Portugal, the team was unable to sustain momentum, leading to a heavy defeat that left fans and officials alike questioning the team's readiness and strategy.

Head coach Vassilis Spanoulis expressed deep disappointment following the loss to Romania. He criticized the team's performance, stating that they stopped playing basketball after taking a 14-point lead and instead played a subpar game that did not reflect his coaching philosophy or the standards he expects from the team. Spanoulis emphasized the need for the players to refocus and prepare for the crucial upcoming match against Portugal, acknowledging the effort of the players while highlighting the numerous shortcomings that must be addressed.

Assistant coach Giannis Lentzakis echoed these sentiments, noting that the team relaxed too much after the early lead against Romania, allowing the opponents to regain control. He stressed the importance of unity and focus for the match against Portugal, recognizing the critical nature of securing a win to improve their chances in the qualification race.

The defeat to Portugal was particularly damaging, as it exposed several weaknesses in the team's approach. Greece managed only 23 points in the first half and found themselves trailing by 20 points in the fourth quarter. Key players such as Miroslav Radulović and João Paulo dos Santos scored significantly for Portugal, while Greece's shooting percentage was alarmingly low at 30.3%. Players like Georgios Mertzios and Kostas Tzioumis attempted to rally the team but could not prevent the heavy loss.

These results place Greece in a challenging position as they enter the second phase of the qualifiers with a 3-3 record. They will now face stronger opponents including Spain, Ukraine, and Georgia, all of whom have better records in the current phase. The Greek Basketball Federation faces mounting pressure to address the issues highlighted by these defeats, particularly regarding the team's cohesion, offensive efficiency, and ability to respond effectively under pressure.

As the national team prepares for the next set of challenges, the focus will be on regrouping, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring that the players are mentally and physically prepared for the high-stakes matches ahead. With the World Cup qualifiers intensifying, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Greece can recover from these setbacks and secure a spot in the tournament.