It was the most anticipated match, since the loser of this opposition between two of the most beautiful teams saw his World Cup come to an end. After taking out the European vice-champion in the first round, Shai Gilgeous-Aelxander’s Canada took out the European champion in the second. And the reigning world champion. Yet, how beautiful this Spain was for a long time.
La Roja has long been ahead in what is probably the best match of this competition. After a tight first quarter (21-21), Spain took off in the second period, thanks to a technical and collective demonstration to make the French fans drool… + 10 at the break.
At that time, we feared a one-sided second half. Especially since the anti-SGA plan was almost perfect. But that was reckoning without Canada’s individual power-talent mix.
If RJ Barrett (16 pts) marked time a little at the end of the match after having helped his team not to take a shine, the defense and the banderillas of Dillon Brooks (22 pts, 5 rbds, and especially three baskets at three- very important points) and the “awakening” (how beautiful a player who lets the game come to him…) by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander brought Canada back into the game.
In a very different style (28 assists for Spain, 18 for Canada), the two teams offered us a recital. Santiago Aldama helped perfectly (20 pts at 8/12, 4/7 at three-pointers) Willy Hernangomez (25 and 6). But it was once again Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who proved to be the master of the end of the game. Author of 30 pts at 8/12, 4 rbds, 7 pds for a single lost ball, SGA especially planted the last 8 points of his team. A 2-pt stepback that gave the advantage (80-82) to his team 45 seconds from the end then a very solid 6/6 to prevent the World and European champions from going back in front.
Canada will face Slovenia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Given the level of Luka Doncic on the competition, it may be worth putting a small coin on the fact that the winner of the meeting will not be far from having the MVP of the cup in his workforce…
2023-09-03 16:41:00
#Spain #released #SGA #Canada
