×
17 February, 2020
23 February, 2021
30/11/2020
Game Report
to read

Spain forget struggles, advance to EuroBasket with blowout

 VALENCIA (Spain) - Three-time champions Spain calmly put behind them two straight losses and showed their class by blowing out Romania 94-41 to become the seventh team to qualify for the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 after two of three windows.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 champions Spain came into the final game of the November window having lost to Poland and Israel in their last two Group A games. But Sergio Scariolo's team was never threatened against Romania and joined Israel in advancing to the 2022 spectacle from the group, with FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis in attendance in Valencia.

 

Also already through to EuroBasket 2022 are reigning champions Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece and Ukraine in addition to the co-host quartet Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany and Italy.

Turning Point: The tip-off was the turning point as Spain scored the first seven points over the first three minutes and built a 17-4 lead after six minutes. Romania did not get closer than 11 points the rest of the way. 

Game Hero: It's hard to pick one player in such a blowout but Dario Brizuela not only led the way with 17 points but he also had 5 assists and a team-high plus-minus rating of 40. 

Stats Don't Lie: Romania were held to just 29.5 percent shooting including 6.7 percent from long range, hitting just 1-of-15 from deep. Spain dominated Romania 57-32 on the glass and committed only 9 turnovers in the game.

Bottom Line: Spain can go into the final window with calmed nerves knowing their 2-2 record already has them qualified. Romania fell to 0-4 and will need two great games in the next window to reach back-to-back EuroBaskets.

They Said:


FIBA