El Mirai Euskotren secured a 70-74 victory over Meins Avenida on the road in Salamanca, marking their second win at the Wurzburg Silvia Domínguez pavilion.
The Gipuzkoa-based team overcame a significant halftime deficit, mounting a comeback in the second half to stifle the home team, particularly in the final quarter where they held Meins Avenida to just 8 points. This victory is a significant achievement for Azu Muguruza’s squad, enhancing their record to 5 wins in 7 games.
Game Narrative: A Tale of Two Halves
The contest began at a frantic pace, with both teams trading baskets in a high-scoring opening quarter that did not favor the strategic approach of El Mirai. Despite the tempo, the visitors managed to trail by only two points at the end of the first period, 23-21. A critical concern for El Mirai was their rebounding, where they were outmanned 8-3 in the opening frame.
The second quarter continued in the same vein, with Meins Avenida extending their lead. Local players like Roumy, Soriano, and Mikulasikova proved dominant, pushing the lead to as much as 11 points. El Mirai struggled offensively, leading to defensive breakdowns and turnovers. The teams went into halftime with Meins Avenida firmly in control, 49-38.
The halftime adjustments for El Mirai proved decisive. The team came out with a renewed defensive intensity and dominated the rebounding. The third quarter belonged to the visitors, who outscored Meins Avenida 21-13. Three-pointers by Eraunzetamurgil and Robinson brought El Mirai within one point, setting up a dramatic final period. Soriano briefly reignited Meins Avenida’s offense, but the visitors’ late-quarter surge kept them within striking distance.
Clinching the Fourth Quarter
The final quarter was defined by El Mirai’s suffocating defense. The visitors’ defensive scheme held Meins Avenida scoreless for nearly the first four minutes, a stretch that proved insurmountable for the home team. Led by their dominant post player, Faye, and an improved offensive rebounding effort, El Mirai seized the lead with five minutes remaining.
El Mirai managed the remainder of the game with intelligence, maintaining a lead that never exceeded four points. They controlled the pace with long possessions, effectively running down the clock and limiting Meins Avenida’s opportunities. The visitors’ ability to protect the rim and secure defensive rebounds was instrumental in securing the victory and the prestigious road win.
Key Performances and Statistics
For El Mirai, Faye’s performance in the paint was described as “inconmensurable” (immeasurable), providing a consistent offensive threat and anchoring the defense. Ariztimuño was lauded as the “directora de orquesta” (orchestra director), facilitating the offense and finding her teammates with ease. The timely three-point shooting from Robinson and Lara González was crucial in igniting the third-quarter comeback.
On the Meins Avenida side, Roumy caused significant problems for the El Mirai defense, supported by the speed of Soriano and the height of Mikulasikova. However, their collective impact was not enough to counter the visitors’ second-half adjustments. The stark difference in the final quarter, where Meins Avenida could only muster 8 points, highlighted the defensive shift orchestrated by Muguruza.
Standings and What’s Next
With this victory, El Mirai Euskotren carries a record of 5 wins in 7 games.
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