A stopper from Sebas Saiz and Spain makes strong progress

A stopper from Sebas Saiz and Spain makes strong progress

Los de Scariolo beat Ukraine to go to the second stage of the road to the World Cup with three victories

MADRID, 7 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish men's basketball team won (76-77) this Thursday against Ukraine in the closing of the first qualifying phase for the 2023 World Cup, an important victory that counts for the next sealed group thanks to a stopper by Sebas Saiz .

Sergio Scariolo's men had to suffer, like on Monday against Georgia, but this time it came out expensive in another tight outcome. Saiz, one of the best in his return this squad, frustrated Bobrov under the rim when Ukraine was already licking their lips watching the winning basket in the last seconds at the Riga Arena.

The reaction of the Spanish pivot and that stopper left the victory for the current champion, who advances to the second phase with a 3-1, tied at the head of the group with Italy and Iceland -- they will also face the Netherlands in the distribution of the tickets to the World Cup starting in August--. Ukraine came strong and showed it.

Spain wanted to lead from the start, with the resentment of Monday's defeat against Georgia in extra time, but it was difficult for them to be regular, unable to make good different incomes that they managed during the 40 minutes. With a good success of three and knowing how to read the Spanish defense, the Ukrainians had the victory in their hands.

Jaime Fernández was the one who pulled the team in a last quarter that turned very uphill with 73-68 two minutes from the end. Sebas Saiz took an unsportsmanlike and the Madrid point guard made it good with a triple that gave Scariolo's men an advantage. The exchange of baskets was not inspired by rival star Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, and it was Sanon and Jaime who made it a dramatic 76-76.

The lack of success in the personal line, an ugly 13/25, did not miss the tight Spanish outcome and, with seven seconds and one down, Ukraine had the last possession to achieve the same objective that Spain had of advancing with three wins. The rebound was another bloodletting for Scariolo's men, a serious impediment to having rhythm in attack and, moreover, having second basket options.

The first Ukrainian reaction (19-12) of the afternoon forced the Italian coach to time out. Spain was in tune again with Dani Díez and Brizuela, and at the start of the second quarter they also threatened to make the match their own. Ukraine showed their foreign talent to keep the score even at halftime (39-40).

Spain picked up the pace with López-Aróstegui and Colom, but once again lacked the consistency to put up with a rival who was not throwing in the towel, once again turning around Ainars Bagatskis's men (60-57). After a disputed technique, Scariolo's men found themselves against the ropes but they rowed to achieve the opportunity that became a victory with Sebas Saiz's stopper.

--RESULT: UKRAINE, 76 - SPAIN, 77. (39-40, at halftime).

UKRAINIA: Sydorov (5), Mykhailiuk (15), Tkachenko (10), Skapintsev (4) y Pustovyi (13) --quinteto inicial--, Krutous (9), Bobrov (8), Kovalov (-), Luskashov ( 6), Sanon (4), Zotov (2).

SPAIN: Jaime Fernández (14), Colom (8), Parra (8), Pradilla (7) and Guerra (-) --starting quintet--, Saiz (10), Bassas (-), Brizuela (7), Díez (5), López-Aróstegui (11), Sima (7), Yusta (-).

--ARBITER: Zurapovic, Aunkrogers and Vitkauskas. Sin eliminated.

--PAVILLION: Arena Riga.