In Jakarta, Spain’s adventure at the World Cup ended, a tournament in which it will not be able to defend the scepter so brilliantly won in China four years ago after not getting involved in the crossovers for the first time since 1994. His, it was a bitter goodbye, one of those that leave you feeling like you could have climbed much higher and force you into cold reflection. Because the side of the scale on which you accumulate positive things is full, but the other, more empty, weighs much more.
The second phase that Spain completed is one of those to have nightmares. Three excellent quarters against Latvia and ten very bad minutes spelled the first defeat. Three formidable quarters against Canada and a terrible final drew the second and goodbye to the World Cup. The same mistakes, too much, to aspire to continue achieving feats.
The elimination has rough edges for Spain beyond the Indonesian borders. Scariolo’s team is already unable to finish between the two best European teams at the World Cup, which would guarantee them a place at next summer’s Paris Games. Now, the last option to get the Olympic ticket is through the pre-Olympic which will be held from July 2 to 7 and in which six teams will fight for a place. It will be a tremendous fight.
The blame for all of this must be placed on the duty of Spain, capable of minimizing a power like Canada, one of the favorites for the title sprinkled with NBA players, and throw all that formidable work overboard in a horrendous last quarter (12-27), in which obvious playmaking problems and a clear mental block were mixed. Although the emphasis should be on the defeat against Latvia, when a magnificent opportunity to reach the quarters was wasted, Spain manufactured a new option to get in the queue to fight for the medals and not there was a way to catch her.
The painful defeat against Latvia did not deter Scariolo, who was able to rally his troops and restore their morale. The solution to their problems was to defend much better, especially considering the Canadian arsenal, and so it was applied. Shail Gilgeous-Alexander, included in the best quintet in the NBA this season and the main offensive threat, spent the first seven minutes without even shooting a basket thanks to the work and grace of Álex Abrines. The Mallorcan was a piece of cake and only personal fouls kept him from his task. Without him, the Canadian began to appear, collecting the glove of Willy Hernangómez, the best argument of the Spanish attack.
After an even first quarter, Spain began to pull away in the second, when Aldama burst into the game and beat Brizuela 48-38 heading into the locker room. Jordi Fernández, the Canadian coach with a Spanish accent, who was confident in the talent he had in front of him, was never seen to lose his temper.
A devastating start to the second half by Canada knocked the score down, but Spain recovered and was even able to extend their lead (73-61) with a quarter to play. The same scenario as against Latvia and, sadly, with the same outcome. An initial 0-8 by Canada gave rise to the ghosts in about ten minutes in which Spain was only able to score two baskets in the game and in which Alexander did not miss from the free throw to secure the victory. The hoop spat out Abrines’ last desperate three-pointer and certified defeat… déjà vu included.
