BarcelonaRudy Fernández, a 37-year-old Mallorcan, has led the Spanish team, which has defied the odds and will fight for Eurobasket medals. The team coached by Sergio Scariolo overcame a 15-point deficit against Finland in a spirited second half (100-90) and will look for a place in the final this Friday.
The great heroes of the Spanish team, who scored 57 points in the second half, were Rudy Fernández (11 points), Willy Hernangómez (27 points) and Lorenzo Brown (10 points and 11 assists).
The Spanish team started with a bang and a good tactical decision, that of placing Joel Parra to defend Lauri Markkanen. This staging has helped him to build a difference of six points (8-2). Far from getting nervous, Finland accentuated their virtues to turn the score around with a partial 1-12 (9-14). The scene has changed in the blink of an eye. The team coached by Lassi Tuovi increased the speed of transitions, improved their passing and fine-tuned their aim to score 30 points in just ten minutes. The rival of the Spanish national team has only missed 4 of the 15 shots it has attempted during the first period (19-30).
The points of the Hernángomez brothers have been one of the few positive news for the Spanish team during the first two quarters. The Finnish difference grew during a second period in which, at times, their game resembled that of the Warriors (22-37) in terms of speed, versatility and outside shooting. Despite the barrage of three-pointers, Sergio Scariolo invented a zone defense to change the game plan of an opponent who came to the break with a nine-point lead (43-52).
Point by point and always based on good defensive actions, the Spanish team has been reducing the differences and has been able to turn the score upside down. In attack, Willy Hernangómez led the scoring. A 30-15 run changed the course of the game and dislodged Finland, who ended up losing by eight points with eleven minutes to go (73-65).
Rudy Fernández had a memorable performance, both in defense and attack. Three of his decisive actions (a recovery, an assist and a triple when possession was running out) allowed Spain to reach the last three minutes with an eight-point lead (90-82).
