It was the first level test, the game that could mark the future in the World Cup, and Spain responded with note, as it usually does in big events. The family defeated Brazil with solvency (78-96) at the Jakarta Indonesia Arena and sealed the pass to the second round with a formula as old as it was effective: tactical discipline, choral play in attack and a defense that at times bordered on perfection. Virtues brought together by Juan Núñez, MVP in his second official match with the national team. “The key has been his low score, which speaks highly of our defense. This has just started, I’m just trying to help”, said the 19-year-old point guard, who finished with 13 points, five assists and seven rebounds.
The intensity was the letter of introduction of both teams, both on alert from the initial jump. There was no truce. In each possession the importance of the duel was noted. The defense was the protagonist, but also the numerous offensive weapons that came together on the parquet.
The South American team began by showing their main maneuver, the connection between point guard Yago and Caboclo, which went from more to less and ended with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Willy Hernangómez accepted the insult of the Brazilian center and responded with six points in the opening quarter. Spain enjoyed the first small advantages on the scoreboard until Gustavo Conti’s men exhibited their skill from the triple, another of his virtues, to close the first period ahead (22-21).
The family replied at the beginning of the second period with the same effectiveness from long distance. Alberto Díaz and captain Rudy Fernández scored four shots from 6.75, two each. It was the prelude to the stellar irruption of Núñez. The man from the German Ratiopharm Ulm, a last-minute substitute for Ricky Rubio in the World Cup, exuded personality giving assists, grabbing rebounds and scoring. It was the engine that propelled the Spanish B unit to an eight-point lead at the break (42-50).
After the restart, the game changed radically, much more locked. The offensive fluidity was prey to the constant hands on each passing line, the exits of the blocks on the verge of a foul and the permanent war in the area.
Brazil made the rubber on the scoreboard throughout a third quarter in which Scariolo’s men kept up the pulse thanks to the defense and signing a few attacking flashes from Claver and Juancho Hernangómez. The period, however, ended with a bad taste in the mouth for the Spaniards because of a three-pointer on Meindl’s buzzer, with Núñez on top, who left everything to be decided in the final match (59-64).
But when the moment of truth arrived, Spain became serious, a wall into which the rival collided over and over again. The Brazilians scored just 4 points in five minutes and were unable to stop Garuba and Núñez, unleashed on both sides of the track, leaders despite their youth in defense and attack. The two former Real Madrid players signed with 12 points, six each, the takeoff of a Spain that sealed the game halfway through the fourth quarter, with an advantage already of over 20 points (63-84).
The last minutes were an inconsequential exchange of baskets that did not worry the family, already in competition mode after their comfortable debut against the Ivory Coast. The objective against Iran, the last rival of the first phase, will be to go as leader and with three wins to the second round, where the fearsome Canada and Latvia, executioner of France, already await.
Brazil (22 20 17 19): Bruno Caboclo (15), Leo Meindl (7), Georginho De Paula (5), Timothy Soares (9), Yago Santos (14) -initial team- Vítor Benite (6), Marcelinho Huertas (2), Lucas Dias (5), Felipe Dos Anjos (0), Cristiano Felicio (8), and Gui Santos (7).
Spain (21 29 14 32): Willy Hernangómez (14), Sergio Llull (4), Juan Núñez (13), Juancho Hernangómez (8), Víctor Claver (7) – initial team – Rudy Fernández (8), Alex Abrines ( 0), Joel Parra (0), Santi Aldama (15), Darío Brizuela (8), Alberto Díaz (11), Usman Garuba (8).
Referees: Roberto Vázquez (Puerto Rico), Julio Anaya (Panama) and Johnny Batista (Puerto Rico). No deleted.
Incidents: match corresponding to the second day of Group G of the 2023 Basketball World Cup, played at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta (Indonesia).
