El ‘Angolazo’, whether you want it or not, is heritage (negative) of national basketball, but it is a thing of the past. And so it remained in the Valencia Pre-Olympic, with Spain beating Angola (89-81) in the match that closes the initial phase of the qualifying tournament for Paris 2024. ‘The Family’ fulfilled its duties, wins its group and the real battle will begin this weekend. The Games, the goal and dream, are two steps away. Win or go home.
He didn’t have a good time Spain in its second chapter of the Pre-Olympic. Angola was everything they said about it: physical, intimidating and punished Spain through offensive rebounds (18 in total). Santi Aldama (24 points) and Willy Hernangómez (22) led the attack, and the collective work late in the second half turned the game around to leave Paris 2024 two wins away.
Angola punishes with its physique
Spain did not take out the whip from the first stages of the game. He did not change his approach Sergio Scariolo. The Brescia coach did not have Juancho Hernangómez, but he maintained his quintet (Brown-Llull-López Arostegui-Aldama-Willy) experienced certain problems with Angola’s physical proposal and a hole in offensive rebounding (eight in the first quarter). In attack, Aldama acted as a problem solver alongside Llull’s triples, but Angola did not let the train go.
The host was in charge (22-17, 10′), but Angola was a different matter than Lebanon. And although the Spanish team continued, through the active Aldama, trying to accelerate in attack and changing its physical intensity, those from southern Africa They found answers with Selton Miguel -five points in a row- and the giant Bruno Fernando.
The score at half-time, with the second quarter on the Angolan side, (46-43) was the best example of equality. Spain had Willy (16+7 in the 20th minute) and Aldama inspired, plus a great final tap-in from Jaime Pradilla, but the African team built a wall with its interiors Fernando and Bango, and Gakou He added a triple to tighten everything up in the intermission.
Angola still standing
Era It’s mandatory to wake up, and I’m sure Sergio Scariolo pointed it out.. Because the exit from the locker room was fabulous. Active in the robbery, Willy multiplying in the definition and several power shots from Aldama and Brown next to the Barça interior. Angola entered the second half with a triple from Bango, but the balance seemed to lean in Spain’s favor (56-48, 24′).
He did not completely ignore Angola. With momentum, between a triple by Francisco, Fernando and the offensive rebound that caused problems at all times. It served for another arreón, this time for reasons, from Aldama and Garuba, did not come to fruition. Although the end of the quarter by Darío Brizuela, with a triple and free throws, did show the improvement of the Spanish team (67-59, 30′).
Rudy prevents suffering
Still, Angola had things to say. Because the young Silvio de Sousa took his witness. The Aris center worked under the boards and, together with a triple from Pereira, neutralized an attempt by Rudy after an outside shot. Spain knew it had to work. And he opened the field again with Pradilla, Brizuela defined and Rudy, eternal youth, scored a triple that made Valencia explode (79-67, 34′).
Spain had the upper hand in that battle. Tough, brave, because a triple from Dundao and the giant Bango continued to tighten the score. But the team found oil with another push from Aldama through long distance and a defense that no longer avoided contact, stole and in which Garuba gained weight.
It also led him to attack. Capturing rebound in attack and hitting with a basket with a foul (86-74, 38′). A way to show that he is the axis of the team at all times. If it works, everything does. And improve the team. Lorenzo Brown finished another counterattack after good defense and Aldama put the finishing touch with the free kick. Spain had reacted in the second half.
The final score of 89-81 gives them a place in the semi-final undefeated and first in the group. Finland-Poland and the fearsome Bahamas appear on the way. After much suffering, a duel in front of a physical wall full of intention, and the choral work coming to light. The Games, closer.
Datasheet
89.- Spain (22+24+22+21): Brown (9), Llull (7), López-Arostegui (-), Aldama (24), W. Hernangómez (22) – starting five – Pradilla (7), Rudy Fernández ( 6), Brizuela (9), A. Díaz (-) and Garuba (5).
81.- Angola (17+26+16+22): Dundao (11), Miguel (11), Macachi (2), Bango (15), Fernando (12) -starting five- Neto (-), Goncalves (7), Francisco ( 5), Fernandes (-), Gakou (3), De Sousa (12) and Pereira (3).
Referees: Vázquez (PUR), Batista (PUR) and Mikheyev (KAZ). They eliminated the Spanish Pradilla (m.35).
incidences: match corresponding to the second day of the Valencia Pre-Olympic Tournament played in La Fonteta before 4,581 spectators
