Spain approaches the World Cup against a Ukraine in suspense
Those of Scariolo achieve three out of three against a rival shocked by the warlike invasion of Russia
MADRID, 24 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish men’s basketball team beat (88-74) a Ukraine that could well be thinking of something else, to get closer to qualifying for the World Cup, with three wins in three games in the first phase of the tournament that distributes the tickets.
Spain played a difficult match with success and concentration, with a wardrobe to take off. After the victories against North Macedonia and Georgia, Sergio Scariolo’s men defended their leadership in Group G and the passage to the next phase. That’s where the road to a World Cup in which Spain will want to defend the title will get a little more exciting.
The Vista Alegre Municipal Palace in Córdoba left another good performance by the new faces of Scariolo, although Ukraine had its mind on its borders, invaded this Thursday by Russia. The war conflict had already canceled the match between the two next Sunday in Kiev, and in Córdoba the atmosphere was almost forced.
Among the novelties, Spain pulled a modern leader like Quino Colom (14 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists), another already established like Xabi Lopez-Arostegui (15) and another who adapts quickly, Yankuba Sima (11 and 5) . The double world champion escaped in the second quarter. Colom and Dani Díez were the first to stand out, while Ukraine was proud and Scariolo pressed.
The rotation made the difference, with Spain adding points and more points off the bench (45-29). Randle (21) was the only one capable of being involved in the match, but the resumption was forceful for the champion. Fran Guerra, Lopez-Arostegui and Paulí joined and in the third quarter the rent already rose to thirty.
Ukraine, who agreed to play and received a tremendous ovation from the pavilion, did not throw away the game and showed pride in the last quarter, with a calm mattress for Spain. Those of Scariolo secured good points to approach the World Cup. During the break, Felipe Reyes, a legend of the national team and Real Madrid, was paid tribute to, together with the gymnast Lourdes Mohedano, the footballer Rafael Berges and the boxer Rafael Lozano.
DATASHEET:
–RESULT: SPAIN, 88 – UKRAINE, 74. (45-28, at halftime).
–EQUIPMENT:
SPAIN: Colom (14), López-Aróstegui (15), Parra (4), Díez (11) and Guerra (7) –initial quintet–; Sastre (-), Brizuela, Pérez (-), Díaz (4), Barreiro (5), Paulí (9), Pradilla (8) and Sima (11).
UCRANIA: Randle (21), Bliznyuk (14), Petrov (8), Tkachenko (1) y Pustovyi (12) –quinteto inicial–; Lukashov (5), Kravtsov (-), Bobrov (1), Lypovyy (3), Pavlov (6), Zotov (-), Sydorov (3).
–PARTIALS: 22-17, 23-12, 28-17, 15-28.
–REFEREES: Maestre, Gurion and Rutesic. Without eliminated.
–PAVILLION: Vista Alegre Municipal Palace of Córdoba.