Alberto Díaz’s control of the rebound and defense gives the team first place in the group and they will face Lithuania in the round of 16 on Saturday
Spain won by one point, 68-69, with 22 seconds left. Possession for Turkey until Alberto Díaz put one of his kleptomaniac hands and the ball went over the baseline. Larkin was the last to touch and would later crown his poor play by missing out on the free kick that left them on a scale for victory and Group A first position for the roster of Sergio Scariolo. With homework done and things to correct, he heads to Berlin and on Saturday in the round of 16 he will face Lithuania, which defeated Bosnia easily (87-70).
The roster has a competitive nature as a series and drew with cold blood to win a transcendental duel despite another very low turnout at the Tbilisi Arena. With less talent than Turkey, but much more united, and a second quintet almost as relevant as the first, victory is declared after an inaccurate and erratic start. The Spanish wardrobe had to appear on the scoreboard to take control and, despite some interruptions that had to be corrected, react to every strike from the Turks, much more inspired by the shot.
Statistically, Willy Hernangómez (15 points and seven rebounds) and Lorenzo Brown (11 points and seven assists) sparkled, a budding connection that could bring in even more revenue. But just as decisive were the minutes played by Sebas Sáiz in the second quarter, increasing the defensive intensity and causing discomfort with each rival attack, the size of Garuba, the reliability of Xabi López-Arostegui (9 points), the resources of a Pradilla that in every game he adds another argument to qualify him as the heir of Felipe Reyes, and the defensive activity of Alberto Díaz. As the game got more complicated, with a run of 9-2 (59-58) at the start of the fourth quarter, the Malaga point guard took the fifth foul of an Alperen Sengun who seemed unstoppable, changing the sign of the match.
With the Rockets center out, Spain once again dominated the rebound (37-45) with ease, thanks to the greater energy shown since the second quarter. At halftime, La Roja had already collected 9 attacks and 12 second chance points. Better team play too, with four assists more than a Turkey determined to play one-on-one or two-on-two and little more in attack. If the Spaniards had refined their firing and firing rates (5 of 25 in triples), the win could have been more comfortable.
Larkin (3), Osman (20), Korkmaz (16), Sengun (14) and Sanli (4) –beginning quintet–; Mahmutoglu (5), Hazer (5), Tuncer (2) and Osmani (–).
Brown (11), Jaime Fernández (3), López-Arostegui (9), Pradilla (6) and Willy Hernangómez (15) –initial quintet–; Juancho Hernangómez (8), Díaz (3), Brizuela (6), Garuba (4), Parra (3) and Sáiz (4).
The race warmed up after a bumpy start in which blows were exchanged. The best Turkey got away with was 11-7 and Spain 29-34 after a great play by Sebas Sáiz. Cedi Osman, with 20 points, and Korkmaz, with 16, threw themselves behind the set of an overwhelmed Ataman. His trusted player, Larkin, eliminated for the entire game (only three points), does not even offer him the feat of Efes, where they rule the Euroleague with an iron fist together with Micic. The coach revealed after the game that the base has an injury to his shooting hand and will travel to Istanbul for an MRI.
Alberto Díaz kept him in check perfectly and Lorenzo Brown won the game in the closing minutes of a game in which Brizuela was sent off for two techniques and Rudy Fernández was absent due to discomfort in his right knee. His performance in the round of 16 will be crucial for a Spain that has paved the way to the medals with its first position. Lithuania is a lesser evil within the group of death. In the quarter-finals, they avoid those considered to be the big favorites for gold.
Source: La Verdad
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
