Spain are on the verge of a historic performance at the U-17 World Cup. Javi Zamora’s team failed to round off a memorable tournament, losing in the final to the United States (67-79), the great dominator of the category, without discussion. The North Americans add their sixth U-17 World Championship, triumphing in all editions in which the tournament has been played with a record 44 straight wins. Spain, who had beaten Australia in the quarter-finals and France in the semi-finals, ran out of energy in the latter part of the game after a dream start that turned Martín Carpena upside down.
With the Malaga flag roaring in their favour, Spain came out with two marches, aware that this was the only way to face a team of clear rivals to reach the NBA. The USA demonstrated their quality with a near-perfect success rate on their first shots, but Zamora’s throw pushed harder, had more rebounds (5-1 in the first few minutes) and shot more at the basket. His drive held the score until he converted three quick counterattacks to +7 after five minutes. The quarter left the US coach in cold blood and he quickly called a time-out with two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
With Izan Almansa (tournament MVP), Aday Mara and Alvaro Folgueiras taking charge of the game (17 rebounds between the three at halftime), Spain kept the pulse of American virtuosity. Oklahoma guard David Castillo led his team’s response in the second quarter, during which they at times narrowed the score to just a two-point difference. But the Spaniards stuck to their plan, focusing on closing the defensive rebound and trying to run as the US turned onto opposing court. They managed to keep a +5 lead (38:33) until the break, but the USA had already put both feet into the game.
Spain suffered the North American team’s arreons in the second part while their gas tank began to seep into the reserve. The United States had strong defenses with Cooper Flagg (10 points, 17 rebounds, eight blocks and four steals) and Javi Zamora’s men struggled to score against the 7-foot center. In one fell swoop, the USA went ahead with an 8-0 run and took the lead for the first time four minutes into the third quarter. Smelling the blood of a rival showing signs of fatigue, the American team started under very high pressure (24 points after the USA lost to Spain by six points), while Spain seemed unable to face the avalanche react that came to them. With two triples, one of them on forward Karter Knox’s buzzer, they were 11th on the scoreboard (51-62). Aday Mara starred early in the fourth quarter with six straight points in the Spanish side’s attempt at reaction, but the USA kept them from getting close to the scoreboard thanks to the quality of their three-pointers and counterattacking prowess.
The final got dirty in the last moments with a tanga where the American players faced the audience of Martín Carpena. The champions are the same as always, but this Spanish generation of 2005 is about to end its reign.
Spain: Álvaro Folgueiras (3 points), Conrad Martínez (9), Izan Almansa (9), Hugo González (16), Lucas Hernández (6), grid position five. Aday Mara (16), Lucas Mari (6), Sergio De Larrea (2), Bruno Vidarte (0), David Barberá (0), Abel Delicado (0) and Ruben Vicente (0). Coach Javi Zamora.
United States of America: David Castillo (12 points), Ronald Holland (13), Koa Peat (3), Sean Stewart (10), DJ Wagner (6), starting fifth. Jeremy Fears (17), Coope Flagg (10), Karter Knox (5), Johnuel Omari (3), Dennis James (0), Ian Jackson (0) and Asa Newell (0). Coach Sharman Lamar.
partially: 20-13; 18-20; 13-29; 16-17
Sports Palace José María Martín Carpena, Málaga.
Follow EL PAÍS Deportes on Facebook and Twitteror sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.