The Spanish men’s basketball team mathematically sealed its ticket this Monday in Ourense for the Eurobasket of Cyprus, Latvia, Finland and Poland 2025 after winning the fourth day of the qualifying phase against Slovakia (84-71), a party in which, led by Santi Yusta (25 points) and Carlos Alocén (11), took the initiative and corrected last Friday’s mistakes.
With the new victory against the Central European team, whom he had already beaten last week in an epic match Santi Yusta forces the second attack (72-76) with four tenths to go, Sergio Scariolo’s men ensure, with two days to go, their presence in the final phase of the continental tournament, in which the national team has not been missing since 1957, to defend his crown.
In the Galician city, the gutter of the Casademont Zaragoza Santi Yusta led the Spanish attack with 25 points – surpassing Bratislava’s 21 – and a PIR of 26, supported by the point guard of Dreamland Gran Canaria Carlos Alocén, who contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Brodzianskij, the amenaza
With a packed Pazo dos Deportes Paco Paz, Spain soon took the lead. With a triple from Carlos Alocén and a recovery and subsequent dunk from Santi Yusta, hero of the previous duel, he managed to gain a small advantage (16-9). However, the Real Madrid striker’s seven points in this first quarter were replicated by the UCAM Murcia striker Vladimir Brodzianskijwho kept his team in the game.
The Slovaks tightened the scoring in the final moments with a 5-0 lead to 22-18 at the end of the quarter, and they extended the set (7-0) at the beginning of the second before a basket by Sergio de Larrea stopped the bleeding. Subsequently, the European champion responded perfectly to the breakaway.
Thus, a 9-0 partial brought tranquility back to Scariolo’s team, among which the absolute Rafa Villar, Under 19 world champion, made his debut, and in the final minutes it allowed them to reach at rest with a comfortable +15 (47-32).
Wrist recovered
After walking through the locker room, Slovakia added seven consecutive points which brought him closer to the light (47-39), even if Yusta, with a recovery and a throw for two, seemed to have the task of keeping calm. However, Brodziansky and David Abraham, the latter, from the three, forces Scariolo to call a timeout (49-44).
Another triple from Abrham brought the nerves back to the pavilion, but Josep Puerto, again from 6.75, and the recovery in the next Slovakian play gave air (55-47). Little by little, the Spaniards regained momentum and increased their lead again with plays like Yusta’s “alley-oop” and the subsequent dunk by Fran Guerra.
With a lead of +14 (71-57) we reached the last quarter, which From Larrea He opened with a triple. Without excessive problems, the European champion was on her way to victory, which will allow her to face the last two matches of the qualifying phase without problems in February 2025.
Technical data sheet:
SPAIN: Alberto Díaz (-), Puerto (10), Yusta (25), Pradilla (8) and Sima (2) –starting quintet–; Almansa (3), Alocén (11), Guerra (11), De Larrea (7), Barreiro (5), Salvó (2) and Villar (-).
SLOVAKIA: Abrham (6), Malovec (12), Pavelka (11), Volarik (3) and Brodziansky (19) –starting quintet–; Ihring (8), Majerczak (4), Szabo (3) and Fusek (5).
PARTIAL: 22-18, 25-14, 24-25 and 13-14.
How does the performance of young players like Rafa Villar impact the future of the Spanish basketball team?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Basketball Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special interview segment where we dive deep into the recent developments in sports. Joining us today is renowned basketball analyst, Dr. Elena Martinez, to discuss the recent success of the Spanish men’s basketball team, who have qualified for the EuroBasket 2025. Elena, thank you for being here.
Dr. Elena Martinez: Thank you for having me! It’s great to discuss such an exciting achievement for Spanish basketball.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! So, the Spanish team recently secured their spot in the EuroBasket 2025 after their victory against Slovakia. What’s your take on their performance in this qualifying phase?
Dr. Elena Martinez: It was a remarkable performance, especially considering the pressure they were under. They corrected their mistakes from the previous match and demonstrated great resilience. Players like Santi Yusta and Carlos Alocén stepped up significantly, with Yusta scoring an impressive 25 points. Their ability to adapt and execute their game plan was crucial.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, Yusta’s performance was pivotal. Can you elaborate on how his playing style contributed to the team’s victory?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Certainly! Yusta is not only a prolific scorer but also has an excellent understanding of the game. He managed to take control during critical moments, especially with his offensive skills showcased through his points and assists. His chemistry with Alocén, who also had a strong outing with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, created a dynamic backcourt that kept Slovakia on their toes.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of Slovakia, they seemed to have had their challenges despite putting up a decent fight. What do you think were their key shortcomings in this match?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Slovakia did have some bright moments, particularly with Vladimir Brodzianskij maintaining pressure throughout the game. However, they struggled to keep up with Spain’s defensive adjustments after the first quarter. Their lack of consistency in scoring, especially in the second half, allowed Spain to pull away and secure the win.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting to note how crucial adjustments are in high-stakes matches. With Spain qualifying for EuroBasket, which begins in 2025, how do you see their chances moving forward?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Spain has a rich basketball history and has been a dominant force in European basketball for decades. With this current roster, they have a strong chance of defending their title. The blend of experienced players and rising talents like Rafa Villar, who debuted in this match, indicates a bright future. If they continue to build on their synergy and learn from past experiences, I have high hopes for them in the upcoming tournament.
Time.news Editor: With that note on their potential, what advice would you give to the younger players on the team as they prepare for EuroBasket?
Dr. Elena Martinez: I would advise them to soak up the experiences they gain in these qualifiers. Learning from matches, both wins and losses, is crucial. They should also focus on maintaining their physical condition and mental resilience. EuroBasket can be intense, and handling pressure is as vital as skill on the court.
Time.news Editor: Insightful thoughts, Elena. It seems that the Spanish team has a bright road ahead. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us today!
Dr. Elena Martinez: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how the tournament unfolds.
Time.news Editor: With anticipation for EuroBasket 2025 on the horizon, we’ll be sure to keep an eye on Spain’s journey. Thank you to our viewers for tuning in!
