73-71: Iyana rescues Spain in a heart-stopping finale
The party was complete for Spain and Iyana Martin. Oviedo could vibrate with a victory of the Selection and with the prominence of the fashionable player after the last Worldprotagonist this time of a tight final against his countrymen, in which his baskets served to defeat a combative Republic Czech by 73-71.
Iyana He led the Spanish scoring with 18 points, being decisive in the final stretch, with a triple with 1:40 left and a free throw that allowed them to overcome a five-point deficit in the last two minutes and secure the first point of the group. Along with the Asturian’s baskets, it is also worth highlighting a penetration by María Araújo to defeat the rival.
It was a very complicated victory due to the ups and downs of the match and the ability that the Czech team showed to recover and dominate with rhythm and speed. Petra Holesinskawith 16 points, led the attack of the team led by Martin Enough until you are about to give the surprise.
The balance that marked the first minutes began to break at the end of the first quarter, coinciding with errors by the Czechs near the basket and a streak by Spain culminated with a triple by Torrens near the end of the first quarter, which ended with 20-11.
The maximum advantage was reached by the Spanish team at the beginning of the second quarter, with a 24-11 that predicted a certain placidity in the rest of the match and the Miguel Mendez They knew how to control the pace and maintain the intensity. However, the Republic Czech reacted by playing with speed and fighting in defense for everything, managing to get within five (35-30), midway through this quarter that ended with 43-36 shortly after the return to the court. Iyanawith a triple and a penetration gave the National Team air.
Technical sheet
Spain, 73 – Czech Republic, 71
73 – Spain (20+23+14+16): Iyana Martín (18), Cazorla (4), Pueyo (6), Ginzo (7) and Carrera (13) -starting five-, Etxarri (4), Ortiz (9), Ayuso (2), Torrens (3), Araújo (7), Vilaró (-) and Pendande (-).
71 – Czech Republic (11+25+21+14): Sotolova (12), Malikova (10), Vorackova (9), Pospisilova (10) and Stoupalova (-) -starting five-, Zeithammerova (2), Fucikova (1), Holesinska (16), Svatonova (-), Kalna (7), Koucka (4) and Kytlicova (-).
Referees: Veronika Obertova (Slovakia), Jordan Wallet (France) and Diogo Martins (Portugal). No eliminations.
Incidents: first game of group J of the first Window of the qualifying phase for Eurobasket 2027 played at the Palacio de los Deportes in Oviedo. A minute of silence was held in memory of the National Police agent who died this Tuesday due to an explosion in a building in the Villafría neighborhood of Oviedo.
In the third quarter the nerves took over Spain for the errors in relatively comfortable shots and how the Czechs punished them. A triple shot from eleven meters from Petra Malikova It kept the score within reach for the visitors (50-45), which gave them confidence to continue step by step recovering ground until 57-57 at the end of the quarter.
The Czechs already advanced on the scoreboard at the start of the last period with baskets of merit from Petra Holesinska until 59-64. Iyana then came to the rescue to command the last comeback and complete the party.
