LILLE, France – Improvement was the message shared after Canada's men's basketball team earned its first victory at the Olympics.

The seventh-ranked Canadians beat 14th-ranked Greece 86-79 on Saturday in the group opener. The Canadians never trailed, but there were a few moments when Greece took advantage enough to make it a one- or two-possession game, especially down the stretch.

Canada will face fifth-place and current Olympic bronze medallist Australia on Tuesday.

“We know we can be better, we can play better for 40 minutes,” Canada coach Jordi Fernandez said Saturday. “But we have to accept that in a tournament like this and in a group like the one we have. We're playing Australia, one of the best programs in the world, so we're happy with this win.

Star goalie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said Saturday that Canada “did a lot of things right.”

“We were the aggressors for most of the game, especially in the first half,” he said. “Just closing the game a little better defensively. Offensively, we had some good looks down the stretch, but we didn’t get them.

Canada and Australia currently lead Group A, also known as the “Group of Death” at the Games. The Australians beat No. 2 seed Spain 92-80 on Saturday.

“It’s tough. But I think ultimately it helps prepare you for what’s next,” Fernandez said of playing in a tough group. “I think when you survive a group like this, you get better.

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“It happened last year (at the FIBA ​​World Cup). We were playing against France. We had no experience. Spain, Latvia, Brazil and I think getting out of that group helped us prepare for the tournament. And I think in this case, at the Olympics right now, it will be very similar.

Canada and Australia both qualified for the Olympics at last summer's World Cup, but with very contrasting results.

Australia qualified as the highest-ranked Oceania team in the tournament, but suffered a disappointing second-round exit. Meanwhile, Canada captured the world's attention by winning its first World Cup bronze medal.

Australia, the first country outside America and Europe to win a medal in men's basketball, is looking to bounce back from its World Cup efforts. Canada is looking for its second Olympic medal and first since the 1936 Berlin Games.

While Greece presented a challenge with superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 34 points, Australia bring something different with their fast-paced attack and a solid defence led by Patty Mills and Josh Giddey.

Giddey believes if the Australians can keep up their game it will be a tough game for everyone.

“Once we started playing together again, playing unselfish basketball, we looked unstoppable,” he said after the win over Spain. “I think we just have to try to minimize the mistakes that we have and this team is going to be tough to beat.”

Despite the challenge Australia poses, they can add to Canada's strength from a match perspective, especially if the Canadians can remain disciplined on both ends.

Most of Canada's talent is on the perimeter, led offensively by Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett and Dillon Brooks. Canada combines its offensive prowess with strong defensive pressure on the ball, which Fernández enjoyed against Greece.

Although Murray didn't have a standout performance, Barrett and Brooks scored 23 and 14 points respectively, along with Gilgeous-Alexander's 21, including seven of Canada's final 13 points to seal the victory.

“We know Canada has a lot of talent, they're a very good team,” Giddey said Saturday. “A tough team but we're looking forward to it.”

Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey know each other well as teammates on the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder for the past three years.

“It'll go both ways,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We've obviously spent a lot of years in the backcourt playing together.

“I know his game like the back of my hand and I'm sure he knows mine the same way, so it's going to be a fun match.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2024.