Space lost gold in the Eurobasket In the absence of five seconds against Belgium. The Spanish team, one of the great surprises of the tournament, stays at the gates of its fifth European championship in Greece Again against the Belgians in a fateful last quarter (13-18). Those of Miguel Méndez They were 12 up (63-51) in the final minutes, but a partial of 0-14 sank them on the horn.
Spain won a point (65-64) in the penultimate possession and Belgium failed, so the triumph was in his hands. But a loss of Mariona's ball served in a tray an epic victory to the Belgians and the Hispanics were left without taking off the 2023 nail spine. The last Eurobasket of the women's team was in 2019 and the fifth continues to resist in the finals (65-67).
A loss of ball, between Mariona Ortiz and Alba Torrensin the last possession, he gave the basket of victory to Antonia Delare five seconds from the end. Belgium took Spain from his fifth Eurobasket and defeated those of Méndez as in the fight for the continental title two years ago and in the quarterfinals of the final of the Paris Olympic Games 2024.
The lack of inexperience and bad fortune gathered in that poor management of the last minutes. As in the third quarter when Belgium also squeezed, Spain lived from the income of well done work in that fall in Barrena. The loss of ball, with five seconds without already remedy and on top with steps that whistled to Raquel Carrerahe filled the faces of a team with future tears.
Spain dominates Belgium from the beginning
The final was cooked over low heat, but Spain took the reins from the beginning and knew how to suffer when the champion looked for her moment. Méndez's threw from Awa fam and race, with too many losses but a more distributed game and better moved than the rival. The dreaded Emma Meesseman (16 points and 11 rebounds) and the power of Kyara Linskens (17) were at the beginning, and it was Julie Allemand (19) who threw from his.
The Spanish team took a step forward from the bench in the second quarter, a closet fund represented by the emergence of Paula Ginzonine points in that partial, and a good defense. Belgium insisted on the shot of three without too successful and those of Méndez opened a gap (30-22). Spain controlled the losses, took the claw of Alba Torrens and went to the rest in command (37-31).
Against the ropes, the Belgians were encouraged after passing by changing rooms, Meesseman moved theirs and the Spanish in a hurry (46-49). The four times European champion left the bump in the last two minutes, with the self -confidence of Elena Buenavida y Aina Ayusoand Spain entered a streak that led him to the maximum of the match by touching the gold.
The Belgians, with Meesseman's rest, stayed more than six minutes without scoring, already denied the desperate (63-51). However, the champion refused to give up the throne so easy and remote until the Spanish wrists shake. The partial did not stop growing and the fateful outcome left Méndez with another painful money, with the comfort from tomorrow that the cycle A Los Angeles 2028without being able to count on Iyana Martínit is very promising.
