Zurab Talakvadze

Galis was MVP of 1987 Eurobasket

Many years ago, Greece was the underdog winning Eurobasket and that team did n ot have the monster it relies upon now. With Giannis the Freak, this incarnation of GNT is predictable, but still unbeatable. Giannis controls the tempo and the whole team in all. That team lacked the otherworldly talents of NBA superhuman, but that team, in 1987 had a wonder boy, who was leading Greece to historic heights. That team had player, who turned down the offer from Boston Celtics (1979-1980) to become a legend in Europe and Aris. That player was a God for the country of Gods and took the entire country to the top.

That team had Nikos Galis.

Not to say, that Galis was forgotten by NBA. Later, while becoming a legend, an immortal in Aris, he was offered the contract from Boston and New Jersey as well. Galis turned them down. He was a king. And he wanted to stay at a royal level and not to become one of those many Europeans lost in this City of God. As it turned out, Boston president (and former head coach) Red Auerbach later admitted, that it was his biggest mistake not to keep Galis. But the damage was done. Nikos signed with Aris.

Galis was shining on every possible level. For Aris he was averaging more than 30 points per game in almost every season and every tournament he entered. But it was his play for GNT, that propelled him to the league of immortals. And that tournament, where he singlehandedly gave Greece a coveted Gold at eurobasket, was his rise to the immortality.

Well, Nikos was never alone. He had a good support in Aris as Panagiotis Giannakis and Slobodan Subotic were playing next to him and the same Gianakkis was his teammate in Greece National Team. Eight Greek championships, three of them undefeated and 6 Greek Cups as well. Nikos was dilemma for all the teams he was facing and Galis was paving his way to Olympus. He was that good.

But on Eurobasket 1987, held in Piraeus, Galis won it all. He led the tournament in scoring, while averaging 37 points per game and Nikos put the whole team on his shoulders. Greece was put into a group of death alongside Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Spain and France and Greece three games, losing two and finishing fourth, good enough for a place in Quarterfinals.

Greece started the event with a commanding 109:77 win against the weak Romania and Nikos had 44 points. Next came Yogoslavia and Nikos tortured them with 44 points and Greece won the battle 84:78. They got beaten by a pesky Spain 89:106, but Galis still had 35 points. Soviet Union beat the hosts 69:66 as Nikos had 31 points. Greece finished the group stage with a win against France 82:69. Galis was the lead scorer with 34. They beat in the quarters Group B winner Italy 106:89. Galis led the way with 38 points. Semifinals. A crusher versus Yugoslavia, where Greece lost the first half 35:45, but came back to take the encounter 81:77. Galis had his least productive game with 30 points. Greece was in the final. A game, where the still undefeated Soviet machine was awaiting. Without the giant Sabonis, but with healthy Sarunas Marculionis, who later would become a key substitute with Golden State Warriors.

Take a look at Soviets squad: Volkov, Enden, Marciulionis, Goborovm Pamkrashkin, Jovaisa, Tkachenko, Valters (who was the lead scorer for Soviets in the final with 23 points), Tikhonenko, Babenko, captain Chomicius and Tarakanov. Galis a strong squad as well, but he was the master for this team.

Greece took the game to overtime, where Gallis blitzed through Soviet Union’s defense. Overall, he finished with 40 points and Greece beat the heavy favorites 103:101 in the extra period. Four players on Greece scored 10 or more points, but this team, this event belonged to Nikos.

Greece the conqueror of Eurobasket and Nikos was the King.

Before Giannis Greece had Galis…