Goodbye to the World Cup after another gray final quarter

There is something difficult to explain about this choice, even for those who are part of it. That ability to grow and have what no one expects when the abyss appears. Spain It was Spain again in Jakarta, and even that was not enough to survive a World Cup in which they were defending the gold medal. Despite an almost heroic effort, it was not enough against a powerful Canada in a duel of power and strength, from the lines and from the heart, as the team once again ran out of offensive breath in the moment of truth, in another final quarter like indictment, a lesson to be learned. However, there was little missing from the painful trio Abrin Let the wonderful confrontation go to extra time. [85-88: Narración y estadísticas]

If he was a caricature against Latvia on Friday, then he regained his acerbic version against Canada on Sunday. Voracious competitors, hungry wolves, who, however, are packing their bags and will have to look for a ticket to the Games next summer before the Olympics. Canada Jordi FernandezThe much-maligned Spanish national team, which has at times been overshadowed by Spanish self-esteem, is already on its way to Manila, where it will face Slovenia in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The work was extremely complex, breaking down walls like the Canadiens, NBA physios, and world-class talent like that devil called Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Who had no pulse on the free throws at the end, culminating in an impressive feat. At the Indonesia Arena, Spain pulled off unexpected feats, honored the history of a legendary team, and set its benchmark for the future, in a monumental way. Santi AldamaBut it ended in tears, exhaustion, and paralysis in a final chapter in which the necessary hero did not appear. Temporary calm (touch) and JuanchoOn the seat.

Very recently it became another Spain. It cannot be otherwise. If you have to die, it will be with your head held high. It's the DNA that makes us unique, respectable and fearsome. He was the fang of the great days, the nerve, the toughness, the focus. And a plan. Opens on Shay, zone defenses, FIBA ​​traps against Canadian talent.

Willie points

That's in defense. In attack, it was a matter of grit, breaking the mental inertia that so many had shown against Latvia. And look for Willie, once again the center of it all, a giant despite having a couple of NBA competitors who didn't end up accepting him trying to stop him. Despite the terrible level of toughness, Spain withstood the Canadian challenge. Willie did the damage early and Aldama finally unleashed his talent, throwing without thinking and showing the length he can achieve. The offensive rebound, a symptom of desire, was like oxygen.

This equality made Jordi Fernandez's team nervous, very reckless, constant mistakes, beyond the limits of fitness, and strong young men like them. Dillon Brooks. Of course, their offensive references were recorded despite Spanish surveillance. Barrett He scored 11 points in the first term and Shai was already a demon. And when they managed to escape, they were like an unstoppable torrent.

Soon Spain were on the verge of seizing the sensations and the scoreboard, a huge second act. Abrince's hat-trick, which was a night to remember, and Willie's points in the paint had an impact on Canada, which found itself down 10 points at halftime (48-38) after a beautiful basket by Brizuela.

Rulers

But Canada could still turn the level of aggression up a notch, and thus came back from the locker room, imposing its sportsmanship and making Spain, which had also become embroiled in improbable refereeing decisions, lose its way. In two minutes, he committed five fouls, penalizing Juancho (3, he did not want to return to the field) and Abrines (4), bringing all the previous work to the ground and enabling the return of the North American players, who found themselves taking charge after a long time and the score ( 52-55) with techniques Scariolo And Rudy By the way.

In that moment of total crisis the Spanish heart emerged again. It was Rudy and those small details that changed the course of battles. Three-pointer, forced attack foul. Brizuela's self-confidence is absolutely essential. And the very strong debut of Santi Aldama, a trio duo and one of those teammates who will be remembered for life. The fireworks witnessed a devastating end to the third quarter, and Spain reappeared, with a score of 21-6 for Al-Aqsa (73-61). He capped it all off with a play that is a trademark of Spain, an amazing defence, blowing up every opponent's pass until it turns into a nightmare, stealing, running and shooting the ball. Garuba With very strong alley OOP.

Even with these successive strikes, Canada did not bend its knees. He sparked a pain attempt with an 8-0 run, a two-run triple and some hits from Dillon Brooks, who would be an unlikely protagonist. Everything was doomed to torment. The attacking jam was a nightmare for Spain.

Because she was suddenly paralyzed, and trembled in front of the opponent's defense. Canada rose again point by point, without concessions. The final basket of the match was scored by Aldama six long minutes before the end of the match, when Spain was still dreaming of qualifying to the quarter-finals. Another hat-trick from Brooks and a “Jordanian” basket from Gilgeous-Alexander restored the lead for Canada, which it was no longer willing to give up, despite a Nunez basket and a hat-trick from Aldama. Spain died on the brink of another forgettable final quarter.