Spain redoubles its ambition in the Navarra Arena

Spain redoubles its ambition in the Navarra Arena

Those of Scariolo overwhelm Iceland to fulfill the World Cup and the improvement towards the Eurobasket

MADRID, 24 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish men's basketball team won an important victory this Wednesday against Iceland (87-57) at the start of the second qualifying phase for the 2023 World Cup, a victory that was also forced to play at home, at the Navarra Arena, and with the goal of growing in preparation for the Eurobasket.

Spain added the two points in Group L, which gives Sergio Scariolo's team the tickets they are looking for to be in defense of the World title, leader with 9 points, five victories, along with Italy. Willy Hernangómez (19 points and 8 rebounds) and Jaime Pradilla (14 almost without fail and 6) stood out in the Spanish ranks, together with a great defense, to go up towards the continental event.

Scariolo's team took the match very seriously, speeding up the rehearsals for the imminent European Championship, with the obligation, in addition to being an official match, with important points and at home. Willy Hernangómez, Rudy Fernández and Jaime Pradilla carried the weight of a great first half (51-28), which could have been better.

Spain lacked success in the triple (3 of 11), but was intense from defense, recovered many balls and scored after that, as well as having a lot of presence in the paint. This is how Willy and Sebas Saiz began, with a good physical point for the team in an exchange of attacks. Spain left some losses but stole more, as Rudy did in his 237th match with the national team.

The new third historical player in that classification left a recital from the bench (24-13), a great weapon for Scariolo along with Sergio Llull. With Lorenzo Brown assisting, Juancho Hernangómez failed in the outside shot and Spain forgave a greater beating, which in the end was resumed shortly before the break (51-26).

Brizuela was the last to shine on both sides of the track, against an Iceland that went to the locker room with 16 losses, with much less resources than the host. The script remained similar in the restart, but the fourth ended up being bad in attack. Willy monopolized the game but there was no continuity in the 10 minutes.

Iceland cut back from a wide 57-28, but in a couple of defensive flashes the game continued to be controlled by Spain in the last quarter (69-45). Jaime Fernández acted as a base to resume the final assault and with the triple that Juancho resisted, Spain signed the fourth victory on the way to the World Cup.

Scariolo played with the minutes, Sergio Llull very reserved, from a list that is close to the final 12 for the European Championship. Spain signed its second victory this summer, after two defeats against Lithuania, on the way in search of the fourth continental gold, which will continue with this FIBA ​​'window' on Friday in the Netherlands.

--RESULT: SPAIN, 87 - ICELAND, 57. (51-28, at halftime).

SPAIN: Brown (4), Jaime Fernández (7), Pradilla (14), Juancho Hernangómez (7) and Willy Hernangómez (19) --starting quintet--, Garuba (2), Brizuela (9), Rudy Fernández (13 ), Guerra (1), Llull (-), Núñez (-), Saiz (11).

ICELAND: Fridriksson (14), Vilhjalmsson (-), Steinarsson (5), Palsson (8) y Hlinason (6) --quinteto inicial--, Petursson (-), Acox (6), Jonsson (-), Bjornsson ( 11), Thrastarson (-), Thorbjarnarson (8), Nathanaelsson (-).

--ARBITRATORS: Marques, Gedvilas y Praksch. Sin eliminated.

--PAVILLION: Navarre Arena.