Perfect Spain Secure Final Round Spot
MUNICH (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) - Spain punched their ticket to FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 with a 93-45 home victory against Sweden in qualifying Group I on Wednesday.
Turning Point: Few would have bet against the perennial medal challengers from Spain in this one, but those that did would surely have conceded that Sweden must make a strong start. But it was the Spanish who raced out of the blocks, jumping into a 13-4 lead as the big guns began to fire early, and they never looked back.
Stats Don't Lie: Lucas Mondelo's side were on top in most areas, but nowhere was this more apparent than their 54 points in the paint - leading to a sensational two-point field-goal percentage of 63%.
Game Hero: On a night when five Spanish players scored in double figures, it was tough to single any one performer out, but Alba Torrens' five assists and four steals, to go with a joint-team-high 17 points, lifted her above her team-mates.
The Bottom Line: No surprises here. Spain are through to the Final Round, where they will no doubt be one of the favourites to claim a medal. This leaves Sweden and Finland to scrap it out in an attempt to earn a "best second-place" spot.
FIBA