The Olympic assault of the Spanish girls’s basketball group has begun with good footMiguel Méndez’s women, positioned in Group A together with China, Serbia and Puerto Rico, have debuted with a historic victory in a match by which they have been behind on the scoreboard from begin to end, till a spectacular play by Leo Rodriguez, who completed with 25 factors, took the sport to extra time. Gustafson and Leo have been the perfect in a well timed response that confirmed that This group can win an Olympic medal.
The sixth expertise of the ladies’s group within the Olympic Video games in its historical past and the third consecutive didn’t begin in the easiest way, with a primary quarter marked by the offensive risk of Li Yueruthe two.01-metre-tall inside participant that Spain couldn’t cease. A poor run put the Chinese language group forward on the scoreboard (13-22).
Spain’s enchancment coincided with the entry of Mariona Ortiz to the court docket. The Casademont Zaragoza base revolutionized the match and ordered the Spanish offensive, helping a Gustafson who went as much as 29 factorsThe nationalized inside performed an ideal function within the face of China’s nice physique.
Mariona Ortiz controlling the ball within the match towards China
Olympics
After the surge pushed by Mariona and close to the top of the second quarter, the Spanish group tried to get nearer to the scoreboard thanks, partly, to Leo Rodriguez, which left indicators that it may be essential in Spain’s dream of successful medals. Miguel Méndez’s group persevered and tightened their protection, successful the second quarter, though nonetheless behind at half-time (33-37).
The second half on the Pierre Mauroy Stadium started with nice tempo. The Spanish group was getting nearer on the scoreboard however the Chinese language group’s good taking pictures from exterior made the hole go as much as 9 factors. Megan Gustafson appeared on the assault in a 3rd quarter by which the inside Li Yueru was as soon as once more transcendental (53-59).
The Spanish, regardless of sustaining a low offensive success price from exterior taking pictures for a lot of the match, have been inspired by a triple from Leo Rodriguez and a sequence of offensive actions by Gustafson with 4 minutes left. However it wasn’t going to be the final triple of the scout. The Chinese language group, hasty in assault and considerably nervous on the again, noticed Miguel Méndez’s group getting nearer on the scoreboard.
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Leo’s determine was extra decisive than ever within the last minutes of the extraordinary match. The balls went to the Spanish guard who, along with Gustafson, have been the 2 most decisive in Spain’s debut towards China. With one minute left, the Asian group was 5 factors forward of the Spanish group, however an impressive transfer by Queralt Casas and A triple with six seconds left by Leo Rodriguez tied the sport. The guard additionally obtained the non-public foul on the shot, however didn’t rating the extra time, so the match went into extra time.
And the Spanish group knew easy methods to play the additional time appropriately carried out in an Olympic occasion: with braveness and willpower. Megan Gustafson as soon as once more confirmed her finest model in assault and Spain led the additional time, this time from begin to end. The Chinese language gamers took benefit of the bonus and went, assault after assault, to the free throw line.
Leo’s triple took the sport to extra time
Olympics
The nearer the Spanish group’s last comeback got here, the extra it appeared Li Yueruwith an enormous long-range triple with simply over one possession left. Nevertheless, the ultimate defensive depth and the standard of Gustafson determined a match that led to a heroic comeback by Spain of their debut.
Miguel Méndez’s group will face one another Subsequent Wednesday beginning at 11:00 a.m. towards Puerto Rico seeking securing the mathematical go. Right this moment’s epic triumph is one other step in the direction of the thrilling path that the Spanish girls could have at these Paris 2024 Olympic Video games.
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Datasheet
Spain 90-89 China
90- Spain (13+20+20+23+14): Maite Cazorla (8), Queralt Casas (8), Leonor Rodriguez (25), Laura Gil (5) and Megan Gustafson (29) -starting team- Leticia Romero (0), Paula Ginzo (0), Mariona Ortiz (7), Vilaro (-), Maria Araujo (6), Maria Conde (-) and Alba Torrens (2).
89- China (22+15+22+17+13): Yang Liwei (4), Wang Siyu (8), Li Meng (13), Solar Mengran (10) and Li Yueru (31) -equipo titular- Zhang Ru (4), Li Yuan (2), Han Xu (8), Wu Tongtong (0), Shuyu Yang (-), Huang Sijing (9) and Luo Xinyu (-).
Referees: Györgyi, Viola (NOR); Malo, Maripier (CAN); Praksch, Péter (HUN)
Estadio: Villeneuve d’ASCQ, Lille, Pierre Mauroy Stadium
