Spain debuted, as expected, with a feast at the Pre-Olympic from Valencia (59-104). Lebanon, a smaller team, could not compete beyond the first quarter and Sergio Scariolo’s men stepped up strongly in the first obligatory step towards the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Usman Garuba opened hostilities with a flurry of intensity and personality, and Santi Aldama seconded him for the total difference of 45 points. Good sensations and good image.
The match of Garuba It was not a numerical demonstration. He changed the game with determination and finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. Aldama, on the other hand, seemed more incisive than ever on both sides until 17+9. The way to follow.
The premiere of Pre-Olympic for Spain had to be as comfortable as it was convincing. There is almost no other option. But there was a rival, with Lebanon arguing from the beginning with baskets of Spellman, Khayat and Haidar against a team in which Scariolo returned Aldama, to the detriment of Juancho, to ownership. Spain was warming up, between the triples of Llull and López-Arostegui and Brown in command of the operations (13-15, 7′) within an even start.
Garuba launches Spain
Lebanon, however, did not maintain its good streak. The lack of talent and perhaps too much haste elevated Spain. Brown connected with Willy, Garuba hit a triple (which is not usually common) and Juan Núñez completed the great work of the second unit with a great layup. Only Spellmanwith a triple from the center of the field at the end of the horn, avoided an excessively big partial (18-24, 10′).
The Swan song of an unequal battle. Because Spain came out accelerating after starting to feel good in the crowded Fonteta. Garuba (9 points and four rebounds in six minutes) did not lower his intensity one bit, offensive and aggressive towards the basket, and Rudy, who always steps on the court alongside the Warriors power forwardjoined forces with a triple (21-35, 14′).
It was the necessary acceleration for Spain set the pace with its foot on the accelerator. At halftime it was 31-51, after very positive minutes from Jaime Pradilla, one of the ‘hosts’ of the Pre-Olympic. In his pavilion he did everything: a spectacular pass for Aldama’s dunk, unsportsmanlike stealing and receiving, or presence under the rim… A demonstration of what dazzles Sergio Scariolo. Along with the hand, Aldama’s work on both rings and a triple to close on Alberto Díaz’s horn left the game more than on track.
With only the unpleasant news of possible discomfort from Juancho Hernangomez, Spain did not take its foot off the accelerator. Lebanon improved its taste in the mouth right after the break, but there was always consistency in the team’s proposal. Aldama, very active, took the baton and punished on both sides of the court. Just what is asked for.
Up to 45
He feast was unleashed for Spain. He reached the 34 (44-78, 30′) advantage in the third quarter, taking over from the Grizzlies’ interior plus Garuba’s positive minutes and a Rudy Fernández of 10 in his role. Some moments of scoring and success, but especially connecting with his teammates with that exemplary intensity.
The gap ended at 45 with the total 59-104. A demonstration of seriousness and concentration against a smaller team. Darío Brizuela, with four consecutive triples, more than one Garuba unleashed and the outstanding Pradilla put the finishing touch on the first mandatory step towards the Games. Against Angola, more. The ticket to the weekend, all or nothing, will be at stake.
– Datasheet:
59.- Lebanon (18+13+13+15): Khalil (-), El Darwich (13), Khayat (20), Haidar (2), Spellman (13) – five starters – Zeinoun (-), Gyokchyan (-), Mezher (-), Mansour (3), Ezzedine (2) and Hadidian (6).
104.- Spain (24+27+27+26): Brown (7), Llull (6), Aldama (17), Garuba (15), W. Hernangómez (8) – starting five – Pradilla (14), Rudy Fernández (9) , Brizuela (12), A. Díaz (6), J. Hernangómez (2), López-Arostegui (6) and Núñez (2).
Referees: Kozlovskis (LAT), Batista (PUR) and Burns (USA). No eliminations.
incidences: match corresponding to the first day of group A of the Valencia Pre-Olympic Tournament played in La Fonteta before 4,153 spectators. The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, the mayor of València, María José Catalá, and the minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, Pilar Alegría, attended the meeting together with the president of the Spanish Federation, Elisa Aguilar, the president of the COE, Alejandro Blanco or the president of the ACB, Antonio Martín, among others.
Also doing so were the injured international Álex Abrines and Víctor Claver, who this Monday announced his retirement as an active player after eighteen seasons and more than fifteen in the senior team, and former coach Juan Antonio Orenga.
