As the Milwaukee Bucks were about to win the NBA basketball championship Tuesday, people in Greece were watching closely. With less than a minute left in the game, Yiannis Tzikas was getting ready to celebrate. “It’s over. No one can turn this game now,” he said. His hands were shaking as he prepared to open a bottle of champagne, an alcoholic drink often served for celebrations. Tzikas runs the Kivotos Caf in Sepolia, a town in the Athens area. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo used to get a sandwich and a drink at the restaurant on his way to play basketball as a teenager. Tzikas opened the caf to watch Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the championship series of the National Basketball Association. Antetokounmpo is known as the “Greek Freak.” He led the Milwaukee team to its first championship in 50 years. The team defeated the Phoenix Suns 105 to 98. After the game ended, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted a message on social media: “Incredible Giannis! Greeks everywhere celebrate!” Antetokounmpo finished with 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots. He was named the most valuable player of the series. “This is Giannis’ moment. He earned it and we’re proud of him,” Tzikas said.
