We got the last participant of the FIBA Basketball World Cup quarterfinals! Among the best eight national teams was Canada, which won against Spain – 88:85!
Canada took advantage of all Spain’s stupidity in this match. During the entire period of the match, Malten was led by Sergio Scariolo’s team, and in the last quarter, the team from the Pyrenees scored only 12 points?! On the other hand, the Canadians scored 27 and made the key difference there. They played their best when it was most needed.
Today was a match to be or not to be for both selections. Spain seemed to have found the recipe for Canada, which eventually heads to Germany in the quarter-finals.
A very difficult and uncertain game. Most of the time, the Spaniards led, and most of the time, Canada was leading by 10 points or more.
It was the same in the last part, which Canada opened with an 8:0 run. Mice by mice they reduced Spain’s advantage until Dillon Brooks hit a three-pointer for 80:80 exactly 80 seconds before the end of the game.
The turnaround came when the fantastic Shay Gilgeous-Alexander scored to make it two with 44 seconds left that forced Scariol into a timeout.
An incredible stupidity was made by Dario Brizuela who sent the wrong pass, Gilgeous-Alexander stole the ball, drew a foul and hit both free throws for 84:80.
He started a time-out by coach Scariol, after which Juan Nunez cut Canada’s lead in half 15 seconds before the end, 84:82.
It entered the penalty shootout. And Santi Aldama brought the drama there with a three-pointer for 86:85. However, Gilgeous-Alexander scored both penalties, Alex Abrines missed a three-pointer from half court and that was the end!
In the end, the Canadians celebrated thanks to Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 30 points with seven assists. He was followed by a great Dillon Brooks with 22 points, while RJ Barrett added 16.
For Spain, Willy Hernangomez stood out with 25 points, Santi Aldama had 20 points, while Alex Abrines was the only one in double figures with 11 points.
Finally, we have all the pairings of the Mundobasket quarterfinals. Serbia will play Lithuania, Canada will play Slovenia (the winners of these two duels will face each other in the semifinals), Germany will play Latvia, and the USA will play Italy.
