Basketball World Ranking 2023 – Europe – second_round_groups – Matchday 3It was Italy
Spain
From the gold in Berlin to the gates of the World Cup. The Spanish basketball team defeated Italy in Pesaro on Friday after an extension to the qualifying windows for the next World Cup, effectively closing their ticket to the 2023 summer event in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. Spain continued their happiness in the first game after the Eurobasket and next Monday in Huelva against the Netherlands they will try to seal their final pass to defend the 2019 title.
The win was named after Jaime Fernández, who was unleashed with 28 points (his professional record), 10 in that overtime. And Alberto Díaz, a huge defender, author of five recoveries (out of the eight in Spain), eight points and four rebounds. The team sweated to regain their rebound dominance (27-45) as they lost a lot of blood from turnovers (17).
Spain was Spain from the start. You can change names (only five repeated among the 12 medalists), but the recipe always starts with defense. More than a selection, it’s the Scariolo team, a label with recognition value. With Sebas Saiz at the helm, Jaime Fernández and Alberto Díaz at the helm, and Joel Parra in the interior, Spain prevailed in Pesaro – with Valentino Rossi as a spectator – and secured the first advantages (9-19). The boys of the eccentric coach Gianmarco Pozzecco collided with the Spanish defense, which was clearly inferior in rebound and too forced in their shots (18:22 at the end of the first quarter).
Santi Yusta and Juan Núñez refreshed the team and the result improved in Spain’s favour, although the first three didn’t come until the 15th minute, a work by Joel Parra to make it 25-32. Italy then shifted gears, always with fast legs, cleverly falling behind and an 8-0 run changed the scenario. Fajador Alberto Díaz appeared to steal a ball and assist Sima in the race, allowing the team to reach halftime by a finger (33-36).
Spain emerged from Scariolo’s conversation smearing a rusty tool: the treble. Alberto Díaz, omnipresent, signed Spain’s second goal of the evening (32-42) after a miss in the same game. The team dominated the offensive rebound, a foot above their rival, and two other bingos from the border by Díaz and Santi Yusta retained the lead (41-48, 49-55). Italy went faster than I thought, very fast. In the last section he had to burn all his ships and took the fast lane. Led by Mannion, fueled by penetration and distance, he penned a 10-2 run early in the final quarter that forced Scariolo to end the game. “Secret service,” the boss asked his boys. Spain were dry in attack, although Alberto Díaz multiplied to steal and steal.
Just three points in six minutes of the final quarter seemed to condemn the European champions to a slip at Pesaro (62-58). Until one of the golden men, Jaime Fernández, asked for the ball and made the match his own. It was the moment of the kings of Berlin, the likes of Fernández, Díaz, Sebas Saiz and Joel Parra, already hardened under the pressure of a big date. Spissu, Mannion and Jaime Fernández exchanged blows in the final seconds and the duel ended in overtime (70-70).
Saiz disappeared after five personal fouls in extra time, but Spain were more comfortable than their rivals in these turbulent waters. Jaime Fernández’s free-kick prowess and goal-scoring fever propelled Spain to victory in Pesaro. And Sergio Scariolo to end a week of glory. With his team Virtus he won the Euroleague in Milan. With Spain to his Italy in Pesaro.
Italy (18+15+16+21+14): Petrucelli (7), Ricci (5), Spissu (12), Tessitori (8) and Vitali (8) -five starters-, Baldasso (4), Biligha (10 ), Mannion (20), Pajola (2) and Severini (8).
Spain (22+14+19+15+18): Brizuela (5), Díaz (8), Parra (12), Saiz (9) and Salvo (8) – five starters -, Barreiro (-), Bassas (2 ), Fernández (28), Guerrero (1), Núñez (-), Sima (6) and Yusta (9).
Around 10,000 spectators in the Vitrifrigo Arena pavilion in Pesaro (Italy).
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