France is a lot of France. At least for now and for this Spain, unable to get ahead in all the duel, to the dictation of the basketball and biceps of the rival. A stumbling block that joins that of Portugal, in the first envy of preparation for the Eurobasket, and that argues that the Scariolo team has plenty of will and claw, but he lacks basketball to defend his throne, so far only with a triumph over the Czech Republic.
Contrary to what happens in Barça, where he does not happen as a secondary actor – occasions or figurant -, Willy Hernangómez knows the leader of the national team after the change of guard, with Rudy and Sergio Rodríguez retired, also with Llull out of exit. His MVP in the past Eurobasket and the good harmony with Scariolo, who will now be the coach of the staunch rival, Madrid, accredit the pivot, with as many points in his hands as holes in defense, very NBA him. But as already happened with Pau Gasol at the time, when Spain, an encasquilla is looking for his mother. And Willy responds, reverse, threats, baskets, also Mates. Or, in many cases, it takes personal. And although in front of the Czech Republic it was lethal, it was not the same before France. A tara from the line of free throws that must polish to counterreloj with Spain to, as indicated by its cache, to be able to receive in hot moments.
He then began the game with two willy’s wrong throws and the plague of the diverted peephole appeared, almost three minutes without a basket to celebrate in an Olympic Badalona, which again explained that basketball is its beat. Until Strazel made pop and there was no stop. Especially for France, which has more of all: physical, talent, players – several NBAs who will see the Eurobasket from the house couch (Dieng, the Thunder, and Diabaté, of the Hornets, among others) – and basketball. 14-25 Aperient.
When Scariolo rotated, no matter how Brizuela lifted his arm and the spirits with his baskets, even a port in his role as agitator from the outside, Spain paled. He did it for the physical proposal gala, joyful with the basketball to the approach, sprints from side to side, stick me if you can. Okobo and Yabusele showed muscle, Luwawu-Cabarrot and Strazel put their wrist, and Hard and Francisco found the ramp to the basket. Spain, touched Alberto Díaz and without Lorenzo Brown, lacked a base that looked to the team, although Larrea claimed the flashes. 35-43 after the first dish.
It happened that Spain returned to inspired parquet, with Parra and Pradilla as the alternative, one on the outside and the other inside. Enough to question France (44-46), which gave Malledon minutes, signing of Madrid. He, next to Hifi and Richaser, explained that they are not a team that puts the other cheek, that if you look for him, you find him. But perhaps you do not catch him because, again with a basketball to the race, he dismantled Spain to anger a Scariolo who recriminated the softness of his. 52-58 before dessert.
Vibrated the Olimpic and Spain responded with delivery and dedication, pride of champion. And although he was demanded until the end, there was no way to counteract France, a team with no more fissures than excessive confidence, capable of putting the points on the ies when he played. It was an exercise of superiority, of those in which the older brother tells the child here, you don’t bother me anymore. Thus, the Efervescence Gala, a NBA champagne that already conquered a little over a year ago silver in the Paris Games and that tomorrow will be measured again with Spain in Paris, it is requested to be the favorite for the Eurobasket with permission from Serbia and Germany.
Spain, 67 – France, 75
Spain: De Larrea (4), Abalde, López-Arostegui (5), Juancho Hernángomez (7), Willy H. (13) —In initial-, Puerto (7), Saint-Supéry (2), Pradilla (6), Brizuela (7), Parra (7), Sima (3) and Yusta (6)
France: Strazel (6), Okobo (10), Coulibaly, Yabusele (12), Poirier (1) —Cinco initial-, Sarr (3), Risacher (12), Francisco (5), Hard (13), Luwawu-Cabarrot (2), Malle (2), Hifi (7) and Jaiteh (2).
Referees: X. Rosso (France), LM Castillo (Spain) and E. Mendoza (Spain). Eliminated by offenses: Sima.
Olimpic de Badalona. About 10,000 spectators.
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