Spain is epic and eternal moments. She looked dead, like so many times in recent years. And from there it resurfaced. It’s the Phoenix Bird. To continue on the path to the Paris 2024 Games, to earn an opportunity against the Bahamas of the NBA. Spain held on to the game and eliminated Finland in another clash that will be remembered (74-81) after the faith of Rudy Fernández on a rebound, the presence by Willy Hernangómez and the balance of Lorenzo Brown and Alberto Díaz in the most important moments.
They consider Spain dead more than they should. And if Finland was faithful to its style and brought to light existing weaknesses, ‘The Family’ found its moment. Rudy’s, who will not be left without Games if he cannot prevent it. Willy’s (28 points), who appeared when the game asked him to.
face Finland is like coming across, again and again, an uncomfortable style. They shoot and shoot, without wasting seconds and make the game crazy. Of start, occurred without effectiveness (1/7 1Q), but tightening the screws on a Spain without as much volume as desired in attack. Because although Scariolo believed in the Núñez-Brizuela duo to give another tone to the outsides and grew from Aldama and Rudy (triple and dunk), Finland did not give up with Gustavson’s legs contributing throughout the field.
It did not cause major alarms despite being uncomfortable and Brizuelawith three consecutive layups, avoided any doubt in the first leg of the game. Total plunger (20-21, 12′). He activated the team, also trying to weave a defense full of hands and activity between Rudy, Alberto Díaz and Usman Garuba, but Finland turned off the best sets through Nkamhoua and Jantunen.
Lorenzo Brown’s acceleration
Spain, yes, was more comfortable. The next step was taken by Lorenzo Brown. His talent led to a crazy end to the first half, with 11 points almost followed by his 13 totals at half-time (5/8 TC). Another different side to the game against a Finland that was breathing because Maxhuni scored two miracle triples (30-38, 10′). Yes indeed, ‘Zo’ had arrived. He set the rhythm, the points and the intention. The perfect player to do it.
Without meaning that Finland changed its way of being despite looking rushed. From the break she emerged with three triples, from Maxhuni, Jantunen and Grandison, while Spain was kept by Willy with nine consecutive points. The Barça center scored up to 13 points in the third quarter, but it did not help to keep the ‘Suomi’ away. In fact, quite the opposite. Because she was alone and nothing was working behind her.
Finland reacts
Gustavson He read the gaps of the eldest Hernangómez in defense, Madsenhero against Poland, hit a triple and Maarinen He came out on the counterattack to make the game crazy. Scariolo, who saw how the advantage had disappeared, had to stop it (56-56, 28′) against blocking on both sides of the court.
It reached such a point that Little, with a spectacular triple, put Finland in command to enter the last quarter (59-56, 30′). Spain was brought out of lethargy by Alberto Díaz. He hit two triples in a row, went for a ball to steal and Brizuela finished with a layup. I took a breather, with one of the Praetorians taking the lead (63-64, 33′).
But squeezed as hard as possible and nothing gained. If Spain pulled Aldama and Llull to get closer to victory, Grandison and Madsen neutralized it from the outside (72-72, 37′). While mistakes were the general norm, and it prevented the team from making real efforts. A total chess game… and nerves. With two and a half minutes and 72-72.
The end
Every play, a world. With everyone involved, like Rudy Fernandez diving for loose balls in the drama of the offensive rebound. He filed a key ball so that Willy could define the attack in the paint. Finland was able to respond, but Jantunen lost the ball. And that fundamental rebound was from Spain.
Willy was once again the protagonist on the opposite side. Finland stung a block and the Barça player scored on the free throws. It was the epic coup de theater to the match, leading to a desperate shot that didn’t fit. Spain needed it, to direct a long-suffering and complicated task.
And it was until the last moment of the 74-81 final. Brown’s free throws gave air, but Finland pressed after each loose ball despite not making their triples. Willy, who emerged as the leader, repeated with a decisive 2+1. His final had changed everything. And Spain is in the finall to dream of the Paris Games.
