MADRID, 16 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish U-17 women’s team agreed to the World Cup final in Hungary on Saturday by beating France (66-59) in the semifinals, so the gold will be played on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. against the United States or Canada.
With a very hard entry to the court by France, Spain conceded a quick 0-9 that forced them to go against the tide from the start of the match. The first basket was difficult to enter, but Judit Valero’s outside shot served to take a run and get hooked (8-13).
The French re-imposed their initial dominance and put land in the middle with seven consecutive points. However, a triple by Carla Viegas reduced the gap to end the first period 11-20.
France remained intractable, but Blau Tor and Iyana woke up the Spanish team with two triples. Thus, the verticality facing the hoop kept them with options after the first part (26-33).
Spain held on to their winning gene in the third quarter to start the comeback. The points from Viegas and Awa Fam paved the way (33-43) and between Iyana, Blau Tor and Calvo, the team managed to close it out in the third round at 43-48.
In the 36th minute of the game and with two free throws by Iyana, the team took the lead for the first time in the entire match. Fam and Valero accompanied him from the perimeter and despite the fact that the rival would try once more (58-56), they did not give their arm to twist.
A triple by Viegas ended up breaking the balance in favor (61-59) and Spain completed a spectacular comeback that was worth the dispute in the final of the World Cup in Hungary.