A frustrated heroism and a ticket to the Games to wait for Spain

The national team lost against China and must win this Sunday to Great Britain to seal their ticket to Tokyo

• Les in.
  

  The second rebirth of Alba Torrens
  

The ticket to the fifth Olympic Games in its history will have to wait. At least 24 hours After losing against China (62-64), which he had defeated in the last six preceding days, the Spanish team must win this Sunday (14.30, Teledeporte) to Great Britain in Belgrade.

The Pre-Olympian conceals a trap for the European champion, who must now solve. After the wide and pleasant victory of the first day before South Korea (46-83), the players of Lucas Mondelo suffered against the Chinese giants, a strangely erotic duel in which they were not even heroic. The subsequent victory of the Koreans over the British (79-82) causes Spain to play its presence in Tokyo on a card. Although even losing to Great Britain – in the case of the triple tie, if China wins Korea – the tragedy may not happen.

Before China it was a match of those that nothing comes out. Completely superior in rebound (55 by 35), with mastery in the painting of their towers, the Asian dominated 35 minutes without problems, since in the second quarter they hit the table. It was not so much Han Su (205 centimeters) as Yueru Li (two meters), which created problems for the Spanish. I finished with 13 points and 15 rebounds and a tremendous feeling of power.

After the break, Spain put all the meat on the grill. But at times it was a love and not power. In the absence of eight minutes still falls by 15 points (40-55). But there is always an ace in the sleeve in the form of self-love. In a purebred final, commanded by Marta Xargay and Alba Torrens, the selection got fully into battle.

A great comeback frustrated in the last two plays. Six consecutive points of Alba, pletric in his return to the courts, turned the scoreboard (62-61) in the absence of a minute. China responded and, in the last play, up to three options they had the champions of Europe of having forced the prrroga of pica form. Finally the three launches did not want to enter.

“We haven't played our best game. There have been many things that we have not done well“, acknowledged Torrens, who finished with 17 points.

The following premise to be in the Games was not even fulfilled. Because in the subsequent game, South Korea defeats Britain.