The spectators at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Lille have not forgotten 2015, and Spain is roundly booed during the presentation of the two teams.
In a room that takes a little while to fill up, but will eventually be full, it is Australia that gets off to the best start behind Patty Mills and especially Josh Giddey. At 18-7, Sergio Scariolo is already forced to call a time-out while his first curtain has a hard time holding up against the Australian percussion.
Usman Garuba warms up the atmosphere
Josh Giddey is on the pace and Spain are behind, but La Roja are fighters, and Usman Garuba is warming up with a good part of the opposing team. Australia remain at +10 (31-21) after ten minutes.
It's the eternal Sergio Llull who will bring his team back behind the 3-point line, while Usman Garuba is still very nervous, while Sergio Scariolo takes his first technique of the competition. It gets hotter again and Spain manages to hang on as best they can, mixing defenses to make a few passes in the zone that disrupt Australia, Josh Giddey and company trying to find new gaps with their shoulders forward…
Santi Aldama's 3-pointers are good for Spain, who are not so far behind (49-42) at halftime.
After the break, La Roja upped the defensive tone and, on a 3-pointer from Santi Aldama, they even took the lead! But Australia also had character and Brian Goorjian's team went back into battle.
Patty Mills' Huge 3-Pointer
Certainly messy, Jack McVeigh brings all his energy and Jock Landale punishes Spain in the low post. Enough to get back on track (69-60) behind a Patty Mills who found her way to the basket.
Sergio Llull still tries to revive the Roja with 3-pointers and in defense, but Australia absorbs the blows and finds solutions in attack, notably through Jock Landale, clinical as soon as he receives the ball near the circle.
A new 3-pointer from Santi Aldama allows Spain to believe in it again (86-80) in the last minute but Patty Mills responds with a very difficult outside shot that sets the room alight. Dyson Daniels puts the lid on it and Australia finally wins logically (92-80). Spain, never very far away, lacked resources, Lorenzo Brown and the Hernangomez brothers clearly not weighing enough.
Photo credit: FIBA
