Spain had to come back in the last quarter, although it was not enough and they fell in the last qualifying game in Cáceres (68-72)
Sergio Scariolo’s team finishes in second place, awaiting the group draw on April 29
The Spanish basketball team closed the qualifying phase for the World Cup next summer, with a defeat in Cáceres against Italy (68-72) finally leaves him in the second position of the group, waiting for what happens in the draw for the next World Cup groups, which will be held in Manila next April.
DATA SHEET
World Ranking
ENG
ITA
LINEUPS
Spain, 68
(16+13+15+24): Núñez (8), Parra (7), Díaz (4), Salvó (7), Guerrero (0)- starting five-, Bassas (11), Busquets (7), Pérez (15), Garcia (5), Reyes (0), Vicedo (0), Vila (4).
Italy, 72
(13+20+19+20): Mannion (10), Severini (8), Tesitori (2), Spisu (3), Moraschini (2)- starting five-, Casarin (10), Flaccadori (5), Bortolani (2), Caruso (19), Diouf (2), Visconti (6), Woldetensae (3).
Referees:
Gatis Salins (LIT), Martin Horozov (BUL), and Peter Pratksch (HUN). no deleted
Incidents:
Last qualifying match for the World Cup in Manila, played in Cáceres, before 6,500 spectators.
Spain started with brio, dominating the first quarter (16-13) but little by little they ceded control to Italy, with little success in shooting in the first half, which allowed the Azzurri team to reach the break ahead (29-33).
Things were worse for him in the second half. Alberto Díaz committed the fourth foul and Spain could not find good attacks, and Scariolo had to make some adjustments, especially in defense.
Spain, misguided
Visconti broke it with two triples, one of them very lucky. Spain persisted in the attempt and, although they did not have tall players, which cost Italy many second options, they gritted their teeth at the back, but the problem was in attack, there was no way to get one.
The success in the shot did not arrive and finished the third quarter clearly below (44-52). Spain tried until the end.
With the duel clearly at a disadvantage (48-61), Spain’s reaction arrivedwho, based on a great defense and certain errors by the Italians, managed to reduce the lead to those final four points (68-72). that finally give the first place in the group to the transalpine team.