L'Spain is whistled again as he enters the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d'Ascq. After Greece's victory over Australia earlier, La Roja's choice is very clear: win this match and finish first in their group, lose it and finish in fourth place, and go on vacation.
For Rudy Fernandez, a defeat would even mean the end of his career because these Olympic Games are his last competition.
Dillon Brooks and Santi Aldama greet each other warmly, but the watchdog Canada takes care of his former Grizzlies teammate and it's the Canadian intensity overall that is impressive.
“TEDDY! TEDDY!”
Rudy Fernandez comes into play and throws an airball, but La Roja hangs on, to find themselves tied (19-19) at the end of the first quarter, limiting the impact of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
But while Andrew Nembhard uses some gaps, the Oklahoma City star also begins to find openings. Willy Hernangomez takes advantage of his size near the circle, facing more slender than powerful interiors. Spain thus manages as best it can to stay in contact, before moving into the zone.
The result is… very mixed for Spain, who abandon the central axis and are punished several times, notably by a Jamal Murray in distributor mode. The stadium sings “TEDDY! TEDDY!” during Teddy Riner’s new Olympic consecration, and Canada goes to the locker room at +11 (49-38). Uncertain before the match and with a bandaged hand, Santi Aldama clearly does not seem at 100% of his means, with 5 points at a small 1/4 in shooting.
Spain, however, remained in the zone after the break but seemed on the verge of breaking under pressure, particularly from Lu Dort, who shook Lorenzo Brown. Except that the Canadian shots that could punish their opponent did not go in, and Jordi Fernandez called a timeout after a 3-pointer from Alex Abrines (59-53).
Rudy Fernandez's last match
Andrew Nembhard and Jamal Murray, however, restored order (64-56) before the start of the last quarter.
Except that Spain never gives up and, faced with the abyss, they have no intention of giving up. Dario Brizuela scores baskets after baskets to get back to one possession and Jordi Fernandez has to call Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the rescue. However, it is Dillon Brooks who will score valuable baskets, followed by Andrew Nembhard.
Sergio Llull fumbled two possessions but his team upped the defensive curve again to get back to two possessions again. Spain got annoyed when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got three free throws and when Jaime Pradilla was whistled for a push on the offensive rebound. Sergio Scariolo pulled out an ironic white handkerchief…
This devil Dario Brizuela punishes again from afar and the Roja even comes back to -4 (80-76). Then to -3 (82-79)!
At +3 (82-79) with one minute to go, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander even gets penalized for dragging his leg on his shot, and Alex Abrines brings his team back to -2 (82-80). Except that “SGA” finds RJ Barrett in the corner.
At 3-pointers, Sergio Llull allows Spain to believe until the end (86-85), with 2.7 seconds left. The Thunder leader is confident on free throws, Sergio Llull cannot perform a miracle from midfield and Spain therefore leaves these 2024 Olympic Games. Canada, with three victories, finishes first in Group A and logically goes to the quarter-finals, with Australia and perhaps Greece…
