And in the end, Spain always wins. Not this time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Canada have contradicted this well-known adage of the world basketball scene. Abused throughout the game, the North Americans of Canada ended up winning after an unbreathable end to the match (88-85), a sign of accession to the quarter-finals for them and elimination for the Spaniards who nevertheless sold their skin dearly.
Intensity, strong defence, stars at the rendezvous, such an indecisive end to the match… One thing is certain, the first big shock of this World Cup has kept all its promises. For a long time in this part, we had the impression of witnessing a clear opposition of style, between the oiled Spanish collective – a ” collective jewel to use the expression used by Jacques Monclar during the break – to which a collection of individuals wanted to respond.
Not easy when this Spain, champion of major events, moreover facing an emerging team seeking to change its status on the map of world basketball, plays like this. Despite a perfectly balanced score after 10 minutes (21-21), Spain gave the feeling of having settled their tempo well, with the very young Juan Nunez (7 assists) in charge. Opposite, with a discreet and well-taken “SGA”, RJ Barrett flexed his muscles, just like Dillon Brooks, to finish strong in the circle.
Spain dominates its subject
A first gap widened in favor of the team that had recorded the most passes since the start of the competition, and by far, when Alex Abrines chained several award-winning shots while Willy Hernangomez displayed his physical dominance under the circle, to the detriment of the too light Dwight Powell. At the break, the former Pelicans player already had 18 points on the clock, his shooter 11, and Spain was comfortably in the lead (38-48).
Change of atmosphere after the break when the referees decided to show themselves unfavorably by multiplying the more or less contentious whistles, even managing to contradict each other. “SGA” and Canada took the opportunity to recover on the free throw line and pick up without too much difficulty, after a new attack from the circle of a very good Dillon Brooks (52-52).
Then the rogue of Rudy Fernandez made a good comeback, chaining a winning shot and a forceful passage provoked on the star opposite. But the unexpected star of this end of the quarter was none other than Santiago Aldama. Bluffing exterior address, the interior of the Grizzlies even offered a “windmill” in traffic after a penetration. Thanks to him, Spain regained some air (61-73).
“SGA” unplayable at the end
Buried the Canadians? Too early to say. With their watchdogs Luguentz Dort and Dillon Brooks, the battered team raised their tone in defense and left the Spaniards four long minutes without scoring. And gleaned, possession after possession, his delay in scoring. Despite still three possessions behind (71-78) four minutes from the end, Canada remained hopeful when “SGA” found Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the corner from 3-pointers.
Then the Thunder superstar took it upon himself to go to the circle with a 2+1. The atmosphere became a little more unbreathable when that devil of Brooks equalized about a minute from the end, still on a pass from “SGA”. The latter continued with a magnificent “step-back” before penalizing at the head of the racket with a long 2-point shot (82-80). What a player. His team went back in front and Spain, which we thought was unsinkable in this part, failed to respond.
Through the game of free throws, Canada kept its lead. Thanks to a new award-winning shot from Santiago Aldama, Spain allowed themselves to believe in it until the end. Until this desperate shot from Abrines at the buzzer to equalize and snatch the extension. Missed, Spain is out while Canada can continue to dream. Better he has his ticket for the Olympic Games. A first since 2000 in Sydney!
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