84-71 Spain beats Slovakia again and already participates in EuroBasket 2025.

Spain needed to beat Slovakia for the second time in three days to secure a spot at EuroBasket 2025 and came up short. It wasn’t easy, especially due to a terrible start to the third quarter, but in the end they won with some clarity and without tension. Santi Yusta (25 points), Jaime Pradilla (8 rebounds) and Carlos Alosen (7 assists) lead the #LaFamilia statistics.

The first quarter wasn’t particularly attractive, but Spain dominated the scoreboard from the start, initially dominating the rebound and taking advantage of the few chances they were able to push forward, albeit unable to stop the attack. Tower’ Pavelka. Santi Yusta was the most vertical and sharp player, and Carlos Alosen’s triple made it 14-9 (6th minute). Slovakian Iring’s appearance on the field was not the shock his coach expected, but even so, the first ten minutes ended with the score tied 22-18, which was primarily the result of difficulties with the zone defense.

In general, in the second quarter, Spain gradually reached its best option, despite the fact that it began with Brodzianski’s pump-up, which further evened the score (22-20, minute 11). Alosen’s moment of inspiration, including a returned ball, brought the team back into the distance (30-22), while Puerto, Villar and Almanza maintained their rhythm and improved. Thanks to two Almanza free throws, Spain were now +12 (40-28) and again a very active Yusta in the final minutes of the first half led to a 47-32 halftime lead that could have been just less than final.

But this did not happen. The first five minutes of the third quarter were a difficult test for Spain. Without rhythm and success, facing a more aggressive and successful Slovakia ready to use all their opportunities, the national team lost in a surprise series 2-15 (49-44, minute 24), signed by two successive trebles from Abraham. Puerto’s triple interrupted the comeback, and again the activity of Yusta on both sides of the court and the freshness of Alosen left everything almost as it was. As a result, the intermediate result of the third quarter was only -1 (71-57).

In the last ten minutes, the Slovaks did not give up their efforts and strained as hard as they could, but this time they did not go beyond -7 (78-71, minute 38), despite the efforts of Brodzianski. Spain, on the other hand, became prominent at +17 (74-57, minute 32) with Alocen signing for fantasy action. Santi Yusta closed the match with a three-pointer from a distance of more than 8 meters, which put the final score on the scoreboard 84-71.

The goal is achieved this November: Spain will participate in EuroBasket 2025, defending its 2022 crown.