The dream of the U17 team came until minute 28. During that time, spain contradicted logic and history to dominate the World Cup final against USA. However, the Americans then turned on the roller and, based on physics, managed to a partial 1-15 with which they passed over an opponent too tired after having to fight against so much muscle.
technical sheet
- 67- Espaa (20+18+13+16): Conrad (9), Hugo Gonzlez (16), Langarita (6), Folgueiras (3), Almansa (9) -starting quintet- Aday Mara (16), Mar ( 6), Vicente (0) De Larrea (2), Vidarte (0), Barber (0), Delicado (0).
- 79- United States (13+20+29+17): Castillo (12), Holland (13), Peat (3), Steward (10), Wagner (0) -starting quintet- Flagg (10), Fears JR ( 17), Fland (3), Jackson (0), Knox (5), Newell (0), Evans (0).
But that the defeat (67-79) does not tarnish a historic performance by Spainwhich has added the first medal in the category. A silver that tastes like glory and serves to feed the future. The of Aday María, Izn Almansa, Hugo González, Lucas Langarita, Conrad Martínez… is a generation to get excited about. She did not remember a basketball with so much talent and with so many promising players as the 1999 Gold Juniors. Many were present in the stands of the Martn Carpena.
USA maintains its dominance in the category. Sum his sixth gold in as many editions of the World Cup. With this new triumph, his balance in these tournaments is 44-0. That Spain put fear into the body of a team that seems invincible was already an extraordinary achievement. He was averaging 103 points and the Spanish defense left him at 79. Meritorious. Not enough in the face of a colossal physical display: 20 offensive rebounds, 31 points against, 28 after losses, 25 lost balls by local players.
perfect party plan
Spain put their game plan into practice from the start and it went perfectly: an efficient defense that alternated zones and caused short circuits in the attack of the United States, unable to hit from the triple. Almansa, elected MVP of the tournament, He carried the offensive rebound and Hugo Gonzalez he took advantage of every attack. even allowed to do a brutal mate, one of the plays of the tournament. a triple of Mar put seven points of rent (18-11) against Some Americans Treading Uncharted Ground: Going Down on the Scoreboard and not be comfortable.
Spain, with the brain Conrad Martnezhe managed to overcome the high pressure of his rival, even if he was already choking. The difference went up another rung, to the eight points (25-17) mid second quarter. the United States clung to Castillo, the only one who saw hoop easily. His was the only North American triple in the first half (1/10). Everyone waged war on their own. As an example: five assists at halftime to 14 for the Spaniards, who knew how to contain the rise in intensity of their rival.
collapse comes
The Spanish illusion eat of the defense. The United States went to the locker room with 33. Never seen before. Spain, with 38. But soon the problems will come. Marawith seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, put the 45-38. Was the Last Spanish basket in play in six minutes.
Hugo González tries to penetrate in an instant of the U17 World Cup final against the United States.
The Americans continued with their defense at all levels and now it began to give results. Local collapse of Spain. Impossible to pass midfield. The United States took the lead for the first time (49-50) taking advantage of a 1-15 run that left the Spanish team very touched (49-56).
The rent would reach the 11 points with which the last period started (51-62). The selection went from sleep to impotence. Only Maria managed to maintain a thread of life that ended up being cut an ugly ending with American provocations. For Spain it was silver. It’s history and it’s future.
