ANDspaa falls in the final of the Eurobasket Sub 18 against Serbia (71-81) and get the continental silver. The selection of javi zamora It was not successful in attack and allowed the rival a lot (18 offensive rebounds, 14 turnovers of the Spanish). Hosts Serbia showed why they have been a solid team during the competition.
The match started up to expectations. The two best teams in the tournament leaving everything in each possession. Serbia pressed on passing lanes. The triples were arriving little by little. the balkans loaded the offensive rebound to do damage on second chances, as they have done throughout the tournament.
Folgueiras and Hugo González they unblocked an attack that did not finish coming out. The cuts and the movement of the ball hurt the rival defense. Nikola Topic, the great Serbian starappeared stealing balls and daring against Mara to reduce the distance. The scoreboard showed an even 24-24 at the end of the first quarter. saint supery He already signed 8 points.
In the second quarter, the level continued to be even. The Serbian defense forced Spain to desperately look for shots when the possession ran out. The Spanish team doubled in assists to a Serbian It depends on individualities. Topic woke up with good penetrations and putting on the leader cloak. In Spain, between Hugo and Langarita take the helm Serbia continued to load the offensive rebound, and there Spain suffered. The match left 40-41 to changing roomsSerbia was picking up pace and the local fans were pressing.
The first minutes of the third quarter sowed doubts in the Spanish defense. The claw of the Serbs, the infinite talent of Topic and the little decision in attack they endangered the victory in Serbian territory. The +6 on the scoreboard (44-50) and the shared energy of the Balkans marked a before and after in the duel. The good defense of the visitors forced Hugo, Langarita and saint superyamong others, to force bad shots.
He 48-56 held the breath of the Spanish fans. A triple of saint superythe best in Spain, commanded the match 51-56 to the last quarter, with ten minutes to go to decide the European champion.
Langarita opened the fourth half with a three-pointer that raised doubts on the Serbian bench. It seemed like an illusion, because Spain began to suffer in defense. Serbia’s good move to find triple liberos and the Bosnjakovi energyc put a 56-69 practically impossible to beat in the middle of the fourth. the serbs they broke the game in practically a minute.
A triple by Lucas Mar from the corner gave some slim hopes (62-71) which then did not move. Bosnjakovic was hell-bent on keeping the gold at home. He give and take of the final minutes I favored the balcnicosYes, they already felt that mattress and the Eurobasket victory were theirs.
Aday María did not have her match, she barely enjoyed chances near the basket, where she hurts. Serbia dominated the second half and set their pace. Topic (24 points) and Bosnjakovic (21) added up more than half (45) of the points of the Balkans in the match.
Too bad the attack not flow as in previous matches. As soon as the balls arrived Mara (12 points) and Hugo (16) and Saint-Supery (17) they had to pull individualities to get the baskets. Spain the money hangs after an unforgettable tournament. Another metal for the formation quarries of our country. Another stepping stone for what seems to be a summer to remember.
