spain defeated Italy, 56-40, to sneak into the grand final of the European women’s U20 to which the transalpines seemed to be invited. After all, Italy is the current champion, it is the one that cut four consecutive years of gold for Spain in 2019. But in a match with two completely different sides, the team of Rubn Burgos has brilliantly earned the ticket for this Saturday’s grand final against the Czech Republic.
Initial control of the crash belonged to Italy. They took the first quarter, 10-15, and came into the break with an advantage, 20-26. Even the first minutes of the third quarter were theirs. They reached a partial of 22-30 with which they seemed comfortable sailing… and collapsed.
Between the defense spain and the radical change in attack of the team of Burgos, Spain began to build a devastating partial that was decisive to be in the final this Saturday. the selection managed to turn the game around with a 26-0 that ended up becoming 34-10 for that definitive 56-40 final.
Between the direction and the success of claudia contell (14 points) and the law under boards imposed by Noa Maria Djiu (8 points, 8 rebounds and a PIR of 14) and Mama Dembele (6 points and 4 rebounds), Spain was disarming Italy who did not believe what was happening. The victory ended up being a display of team play and collective trust that has guided spain until a new final of the category. Nobody has more gold than Spain in the European U20 women: she has eight. This Saturday they will fight for the ninth starting at 8:15 p.m. against the Czech Republic, which eliminated France in the other semifinal, 65-63.
