Spain wins silver at the Eurobasket, a bright future for women's basketball

 

The team led by Miguel Mendez He demonstrated throughout the championship a effort, sacrifice and courage Unwavering. This silver, while not the desired gold, has a "shining glow for the future" for a generation of players that promises great joy for Spanish basketball.

 

A Match Dominated Until the End

 

From the opening whistle, Spain took to the court with palpable ambition. They surprised a Belgian side that took more than two minutes to open the scoring and more than five minutes to take the lead. The national defense was key, making the Belgian players uncomfortable and forcing difficult shots, allowing Spain to close out the first quarter with a 19-18 lead.

 

The second quarter saw Spain determined to extend their lead. Paula Ginzo emerged as the leader, scoring seven consecutive points that forced Belgium to call a timeout. This positive momentum carried the Spanish team into the break with a promising six-point lead (37-31).

 

After the break, the Belgian reaction was immediate. Inspired by the Emma Meesseman, Belgium began to close the gap. However, Spain was not daunted, relying on the success of its foreign Aina Ayuso and maintaining a solid defense that countered Belgium's errors in outside shooting. The score at the start of the fourth quarter was 54-49 in favor of Spain.

 

The last ten minutes were heart-stopping. A triple from Aina Ayuso and a steal with a basket on the counterattack from Helena Pueyo With eight minutes remaining, Spain had their biggest lead of the game, +12 (61-49). However, it was at that moment that Belgium unleashed their "great attack." Three final minutes of brilliance, culminating in a steal with just seconds left, allowed the Belgian comeback. Antonia Delaere scored the final basket that put Belgium ahead by one, and Julie Vanloo sealed the match from the free throw line (1-65).

 

Despite the defeat, Spain's 39-minute dominance and spectacular championship reinforce hopes for a very promising future for Spanish women's basketball.

 

Alba Torrens and Raquel Carrera in the Eurobasket 2025 All-Star Five

 

The Spanish national team's brilliant performance at the Eurobasket was recognized with the inclusion of two of its players in the tournament's All-Star Five. Alba Torrens, the captain, was highlighted as one of the best outside players of the competition, while Raquel Carrera She was instrumental in the interior play, contributing decisively to the silver medal. Both shone brightly in a quintet in which Belgian Emma Meesseman was named tournament MVP.

 

IDEAL QUINTET OF THE TOURNAMENT:

• Julie Allemand (Belgium)

• Alba Torrens (Spain)

• Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy)

• Raquel Carrera (Spain)

• Emma Meesseman (Belgium)