After qualifying in extremis against the French Villeneuve d’Ascq (with a comeback included), Spar Girona staged their return to the top European competition today. The rival, an old acquaintance: the French Basket Landes, whom they already defeated last season. The Catalans led the match from the start thanks to the Australian (former Landes player), Marianna Tolo, who gave a recital in the first quarter. Despite an exchange of baskets by Julie Barennes’ team, the visitors managed to get ahead (14-19).
A spectacular 2+1 by Regan Magarity opened the second quarter, marked by the inaccuracies of both teams. Spar Girona has placed the maximum difference (17-24) while the Gallic coach was desperate on the wing asking for speed in hers. Bernat Canut’s players have started to move the ball with ease. Landes responded with the introduction of veteran point guard Celine Dumerc and went on a 5-0 run thanks to Evelyn Akhator. Binta Drammeh did not like the French reaction and she alone made two outstanding actions, with an overflow of personality worthy of a video game, which allowed the Catalans to reach the break with a solid difference (24-33).
Paget cut the distance for the home team (28-35) and Gardner responded by making a layup in the low post. The French came back from the break aggressive and tried to run. But if anyone knew how to run, it was Spar Girona who, after a counterattack, overcame the ten-point barrier (28-41). The Catalans have maintained their solidity and, despite the attempts of the locals, the outside success has allowed them to control the tempos wisely.
Bernat Canut’s players kept up their pace, dominating the rebound and taking advantage of the French team’s indecisiveness. Basket Landes got within five (53-58) with forty seconds left after an unsportsmanlike whistle on a counterattack. The Catalans managed the final seconds of the game sensibly and sealed the first victory of the season in the Euroleague.
