spain stamped half a ticket for him World Cup 2023 with a thrilling extra-time victory in Italia (84-88). the inspiration of Jaime Fernandezauthor of 28 points, 11 of them in extra time, propelled the team de Scariolo who, with three games remaining in the group stage, has the almost mathematical classification in his hands. This Monday, in front of Netherlandsin Huelva, can certify it.
spain He was much superior in the fight for the rebound and that gave him some comfortable baskets in transition, although he did not get the performance that could come from his hegemony in the zone. The selection, in addition, lost control when the game accelerated and entered the crazy rhythm of Italia, much more comfortable in the exchange of blows.
Thus, although the initiative was on their side, the Spanish team was never comfortable. Italy applied very aggressively. His players forced up to 17 turnovers in regulation time and left the team in bad percentages. scario Went with Alberto Diaz in command and with the most daring version of Parra when the team lived its best minutes and found the right move to go ahead at halftime (31-36).
In overtime
The dynamics did not vary excessively in the resumption, although spain found in the triples an alternative to the defense of Italia, who tried to collapse the area. Apart from their good defensive work, the team also found air in the prominence of Jaime Fernandez in a game that was getting thicker and that became a headache for the team in the last quarter.
With only three points in five minutes in that decisive phase, the team from scario gave him the option Italia of believing in his strength, after a 10-2 run, with which he took the lead with four minutes to go (62-58). Jaime Fernandez came to the rescue of the team in attack and spain found some sanity, again, in the actions of Díazthe offensive rebound of Size to take the game to extra time after the tie at 70, where Fernández resolved brilliantly.
Italy, 84 – Spain,
Italia: Spissu (12), Ricci (5), Vitali (8), Petrucelli (7), Tessitori (8) – initial cinco – Biligha (10), Mannion (20), Pajola (2), Severini (8), Baldasso ( 4).
10 of 33 triples (Mannion, 3), 27 rebounds, 6 offensive (Ricci, 4), 18 assists (Vitali, 5)
Spain: Diaz (8), Brizuela (5), Parra (12), Salvó (8), Saiz 9() –starting five- Barreiro (-), J. Fernández (28), Núñez (-), Sima (6), Yusta (9), Basas (2), Warrior (1)
9 of 27 triples (J. Fernández, 4), 45 rebounds, 16 offensive (Parra, 8), 20 assists (Diaz, 7)
Partials: 18-22; 15-14; 16-19; 21-15; 14-18
