Spain secured win in the first round of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Valencia, defeating Lebanon with a score of 104:59.
Rudy Fernandez will retire from professional basketball this summer, meaning this could be the last tournament for the legendary Spaniard if the national team does not secure a spot in the Olympics.
In the first quarter of the game, seven players from Spain’s team already made it to the scoring sheet, giving the team an 11-point lead. Lebanon responded with a 5-0 run in the final minute of the period, closing the gap to 24:18 after ten minutes of play, with Omari Spellman performing brilliantly.
Omari Spellman JUST IN TIME for TISSOT Buzzer Beater 🔥#FIBAOQT pic.twitter.com/qaAaa9gvwQ
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 2, 2024
At the start of the second quarter, Usman Garuba and Rudy Fernandez led an 11:3 run for Spain, extending their lead. Garuba’s efforts pushed the home team to a 14-point advantage (35:21). As the game progressed, Jaime Pradilla emerged as the standout player, increasing Spain’s lead. By halftime, Spain was ahead 51:31.
Youssef Khayat, with two three-pointers, and Omari Spellman were the bright spots for Lebanon. However, it was evident that they couldn’t match the several in-form players on the opposing side. Spain maintained a commanding lead, surpassing 20 points (65:43). As the third period progressed, Spain further increased their advantage, leading 78:44 going into the final quarter.
The outcome was clear by halftime, and head coach Sergio Scariolo used the fourth quarter to give all players a chance to shine, securing a more than routine win. In the next round, Spain will face Angola, followed by a crucial matchup between Lebanon and Angola the day after, determining the fight for second place and a spot in the semifinals.
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