Excellent impression of Spain in their first maximum demand test before the World Cup. Sergio Scariolo’s team exhibited an inside game of many carats -between Aldama, Willy and Juancho Hernangómez they added more than 50 points- and added to their offensive arsenal the outside success of Abrines and Brizuela to defeat the demanding Slovenia of Luka Doncic in a authentic scoring festival.
It was not just any game, but a height test to gauge the state of the Spanish team after the setback with the resignation of Ricky Rubio, and the truth is that the balance could not be more positive. And that the staging of Slovenia was impeccable, with Doncic distributing the game and his teammates acting as snipers from a distance. The four of four in the Slovenian triple in the first minutes was a warning that the friendly had little of such a condition. The Hernangómez tried to respond as well as they could but the visitor’s advantage was around double figures very soon (5-14).
While Slovenia continued to lubricate the launch of three, Spain suffered an obvious offensive jam, with the free kick as practically the exclusive way of scoring. Nor did he shine on defense, where the lack of aggressiveness shot up the Slovenian scoring figures to 25 points in just seven minutes.
spain
Alberto Díaz (7), Abrines (13), Parra (7), Juancho Hernangómez (17) and Willy Hernangómez (17) -initial quintet-; Juan Nuñez (7), Jaime Fernández (3), Brizuela (7), Rudy Fernández (3), Claver, Aldama (18) and Garuba.
99
–
79
Slovenia
Doncic (17), Hrovat (10), Blazic (14), Bine Prepelic (4) and Morgan (2) -initial quintet-; Samar (4), Nikolic (2), Klemen Prepelic (11), Zoran Dragic (3), Cebasek, Tobey (10) and Dimec (2).
Partials: 26-27, 25-14, 22-22 and 26-16.
Referees: Javier Torres, Carlos Cortés and Alberto Sánchez.
Incidents: First match of the FEB Centenary Tournament played at the Martín Carpena in Málaga.
Scariolo called up his team and tweaked his approach through changes. As almost always, the Italian’s scoreboard paid off and his team tightened in defense and took advantage of Doncic’s rest, Aldama’s physical exuberance and Willy Hernangómez’s work in the paint to cut their deficit to a minimum (26-27). after a first set of official competition.
The duel then became a nice give and take with the Doncic phenomenon mutating from the condition of orchestra conductor to interior. This is how the star of the Dallas Mavericks spends them, an almost unstoppable player either in the NBA or in FIBA basketball. The duel surpassed the equator of the second quarter through the channels of maximum equality (37-37) and under an intensity unbecoming of a friendly. Excellent preparatory test, of those that are worth it.
The audacity of Juan Núñez, whose presence in the final twelve list continues to win integers as he is the only pure point guard along with Alberto Díaz, and the excellent reading of the game by Juancho Hernangómez brought good news from the hand of the arreón from Spain before the break , which helped him to reach the path of the changing rooms ten up (51-41) and with very good feelings.
Party at the Carpena
The resumption brought with it the fourth foul by Doncic, again the top scorer although he fought with the free kick. Under the threat of elimination, the Slovenian star could not counteract the internal power of Spain. Between Aldama and the Hernangómez they propelled an intractable Spain in the paint and Abrines, who acted as microwave with five consecutive points and a dunk for the photo, did the rest so that the income remained at ten points before the final assault (73 -63).
The Spanish team perfectly managed their advantage in the decisive minutes. Another good sign for the official competition. Without Doncic, who threw in the towel from the bench, Scariolo’s team was recreated and delighted the public of Martín Carpena de Málaga. He drove the stands crazy with the defensive master class of Alberto Díaz, one of his own, and the party was total with the resounding 99-79 final. It is too early to draw conclusions and there is preparation ahead to reach the World Cup in full condition, but for now Spain is exciting. The next rival, the always fearsome but deadly United States.
2023-08-11 22:49:30
#Spain #loaded #morale #Doncics #Slovenia
