In the last and affordable game of the first phase, Scariolo’s men face Iran to cement their candidacy
MADRID, 29 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish men’s basketball team will play this Wednesday (3:30 p.m./Teledeporte) against the affordable and already eliminated Iran in their third match of the World Cup, which is being held in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, where the Spanish will seek to seal the first group stage with a perfect full, enjoying having his ticket to the next round from the top of Group G in his pocket.
Sergio Scariolo’s pupils have confirmed their status as clear favorites and have done their homework before the end of this first phase at the Indonesia Arena. First, they faced the World Cup debut against the energetic Ivory Coast, who did not cause problems and fell by 30 points (94-64). Later, in the most demanding exam of an already affordable group, Spain surpassed Brazil with an exhibition (78-96) to firmly certify their passage to the second phase.
The Spanish team lived up to the intense proposal of the Brazilians, who ended up desperate before the talent and discipline of the current world and European champions. And in another year without big names, Spain has found its strength in the value of the group, in addition to making use of the explosion of young Juan Núñez (13 points against Brazil), vital at 19, and the awakening of debutant Santi Aldama ( fifteen).
As usual, the duel against ‘Canarinha’ was another example of the Spanish choral version, highlighting the defensive effort in the last quarter –they left their rivals by 19 points, to the Spanish 32–, to end the match with 12 robberies, for none of Brazil. In addition, only Álex Abrines and Joel Parra were left without scoring, with Willy Hernangómez leading the charge (14) and Alberto Díaz, important in defense (3 defensive rebounds and 1 steal).
Now, the Spanish team will have to maintain that level of self-demand against Iran to embroider the plenary session in this first phase, in which they have already secured first place, but taking into account that each victory can be vital in search of the quarterfinals. Latvia and Canada are already waiting in the next round, which will be a greater challenge for Scariolo’s team.
Iran and Spain, who are looking for their eleventh consecutive World Cup victory – equaling the record in the competition – have previously met twice in a World Cup, in 2014 and 2019. In the most recent one, the score was tighter ( 73-65), while nine years ago, ‘La Familia’ won by a difference of 30 points (60-90).
The Iranian team arrives at this duel eliminated, although they will seek to leave a good image before one of the candidates. Hakan Demir’s men came close to achieving the feat in the second match of the World Cup against the Ivory Coast, but ended up losing (71-69) in the final moments. Before, in their debut in the tournament, they suffered a harsh correction against Brazil, which reached 100 points, compared to only 59 for those from the Persian Gulf.
DATASHEET.
–EQUIPMENT.
IRAN: Aliakbari, Yakhchali, Kazemi, Aghajanpoor and Girgoorian — possible initial quintet — Mirzaeitalarposhti, Ehaddadi, Amini, Vahedi, Mashayekhi, Agha Miri, Rezaeifar.
SPAIN: Núñez, Abrines, Parra, Aldama and W. Hernangómez –possible starting five–; J. Hernangómez, Brizuela, Claver, Díaz, R. Fernández, Garuba and Llull.
–REFEREES: Anaya (PAN), Fernández (ARG) and Batista (PUR).
–HALL: Indonesia Arena.
–TIME: 3:30 p.m./Teledeporte.
2023-08-29 18:06:57
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