Spain was classified for the Grand Final of the Women's Eurobasket in Athens after beating Francethe current Olympic runner-up, in a duel that dominated France in the first half, but Spain, with a great defense after the break, annulled the Gallic attack to end up imposing by 64-65 with an inspired Awa Fam (21). The rival for gold will leave the duel between Italy and Belgium.
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Alignments
| (18+20+8+18): Bernies (6), Ayayi (19), Rupert (3), Salaun (9), Toure (14)- Cinco Inicial-, Brochant (0); FOPPOSSI (3), Badiane (6), Pouye (0), Lacan (4), Astier (0), Tabdi (0). |
| (18+13+18+16): Ortiz (4), Torrens (12), Araujo (6), Vilaro (0), Fam (21)- five initial-, Buenavida (5), Ayuso (0), Pueyo (9), Carrera (4), Ginzo (2), Etxarri (2). |
The duel began at all pace, with both teams looking for fast scores, with Spain keeping the French at bay, that started as clear favorites as Olympic runners -up and with much more experience than the girls of Miguel Méndez.
France took control of the marker with outer success with Ayayi (9) Although Spain did not lose your face to the galas With an active Araújo and Fam that gave the first advantages to the Spanish (13-16). Good staging of the Spanish team that kept the French after the first quarter (18-18).
France put one more march and with the outer shot managed to open hole at the start of the second quarter (25-20) Before a Spain with problems to score. The French were charged soon with four fouls with a really aggressive defense that was hard for him to break those of Méndez, YeThe Spanish technician had to stop the duel with the control of the galas game, with easy robberies and baskets (29-23).
FAM was one of those highlighted by Spain in the first half / FIBA
Problems in attack for Spain
Spain continued with problems in its attack and France felt very comfortable to open the maximum (32-23). The French intensity in defense was resulting key, and with its rapid offensive actions and with second opportunities in the offensive rebound, they had the party under control to rest (38-31). France clearly came ahead, a very rocky team, but the best news is that Méndez's were still in the duel with a whole second half ahead.
In the Relocation, France did not give in a millimeter, with the same intensity in the game against a Spain that could not stop the rhythm of the galas, much higher in defense and also in attack to leave dangerously than 10 (43-33). The French coach constantly moved the bench to maintain that intensity that Spain did not reach that still tried to hold on to duel (44-38).
Alba Torrens, in a duel action against France / FIBA
The French ones were not entirely inspired by an attack-only eight points in the room-, which allowed Méndez to turn the scoreboard with a great defensewithout a doubt the best news in a third quarter that favored the Spanish and who managed to go to the end of the room ahead (46-49) waiting for the final 10 miutos.
In the final fourth, Spain began to believe the victory, although there were still many minutes (50-55) there. France did not find easy points with the Spanish defense that touched all the Gauling shots but were not going to easily claudicate (54-55). An inspired FAM and a triple of Buenavida kept Spain in front of 2:39 in the end (56-61).
An apotheosic end
France did not give up and managed to reverse the result with a triple of Bernies (62-61) although Mariona Ortiz responded fast (62-63) and in the next action, France took Alba Torrens to the free throws he converted (62-65).
Mariona Ortíz celebrates a basket in the final moments that helped the triumph of Spain / FIBA
The Méndez defended the French final attack well, and forced two free throws to the galas with 2.4 seconds. He scored the first free kick Bernies and after failing the second, they achieved the rebound and force two free throws, but Rupert failed the second to tie the match and Spain wore the semifinal and the ticket for the grand final of the Eurobasket.
