The Spanish women's basketball team has signed its historic participation in the World Cup in the Czech Republic, which recorded the best result in its history and rounded to the bronze medal, defeating in Karlovy Vary to Belarus by 77-68.
A landmark for Spanish women's basketball, which until now had the top fifth in Alemania'98 and China'02, not counting a European gold, one silver and four bronzes. The set of José Ignacio Hernández came with a major challenge, that of the podium, and he succeeded brilliantly, and all deserving.
However, this bronze tastes like gold to the Spanish team, who returned to work as a bloc against a Belarus which dominated most of the game, but never gave up despite having clear disadvantages in various stages of the race.
A computer case
Evidence that Spain was once again a team is how divided the role. Sancho Lyttle, absent in the semifinal by a back pain, re-appear stellar in getting 22 points and eleven rebounds capture, but is that Alba Torrens scored 19 points, -17 in the first half-Amaya Valdemoro and Anna Montañana 16 12.
The start of the game was key. Spain became very attuned to the track and dismasted a serious team and always dangerous as Belarus. The 28-15 late in the first room was palpable example of the mastery of the 'red'.
Belarus, however, remained stuck on the ruling party and prevented premature. The work of Verameyenka Leuchanka and led, along with the second foul of the marker Sancho Lyttle was shortened to 41-34 with which it came to rest in spite of the spectacular performance of Torrens.
Belarus is about
More Belarus forced the machine to start the second period. Coincided with a drop in the intensity level of Spain and the pupils of Anatoly Buyalski stood with a thrilling 46-45 after 24 minutes.
But the reaction of the Belarusian could not find the end. Never went ahead on the scoreboard and Spain faced the final quarter with nine points (62-53). A partial 5-0, after a new Valdmoro triple increased the advantage of Spain (1967-1953), who took pains to prevent Belarus defense dreamed take the match.
Hernandez's team responded with two baskets Montañana Lyttle and that sealed the game (75-65) and the historic bronze for the Spanish team by 77-68. This success is the best farewell to several players who have given the Spanish women's basketball the best years of their history.
THE NAME OF THE GAME:
77 - Spain (28 +13 +21 +15): Marta Fernandez (4), Torrens (19), Amaya Valdemoro (16), Montañana (12), Lyttle (22), Lima (2), Palau (2), Nicholls (-) and Martinez (-).
68 - Belarus (15 +19 +19 +15): Dureika (3), Verameyenka (20), Anufryienka (9), Marchanka (5), Leuchanka (14), Tarasava (-), Likhtarovich (2), Trafimava ( 8), Kress (7), Troina (-).
Referee: Roberto Chiari (ITA), Andrea Felicia Grinter (USA) and Dolinek Ivo (CZE). Without eliminated.
Subs: Match for third place match at the World Arena KV Karlovy Vary.
Reuters / Eurosport
