Rudi and Lull find themselves in Italy.

Spain didn’t win (84-87) in their summer debut who will try to take the team to the Olympic Games in Paris. But the result will never matter less. Because this is a defeat without breaking, with key moments that still need to be prepared on the field, and with good feelings. Italy failed to win it until extra time, after another treble miracle from Sergio Lull, the full intensity of Rudy Fernandez and an extra time in which poor play finished by Willy Hernangomez let everything loose.

If something characterizes selection is that his claw exists. Rudy Fernandez, the eternal captain, tried to take on Italy. His brilliant entry into the game, a lesson in foresight and success marked his game. And also Llull, who, when not playing his game, knew how to take it into extra time. Or the power of Willy Hernangomez (23) and the power of Aldama in extra time (11).

Spain is still a little rusty. This is normal, especially in Italy, where there are 12 fields and filming. Start Juan Nunez’s attack fails (Lorenzo Brown suited up but was left out) and the Transalpines opened up an advantage thanks to Melli’s efficiency (3-10, 5 minutes). Scariolo corrected himself by putting Rudy and the Balearic Islander were quickly spotted. One hand, two Juancho passes and extra energy in his last game in Madrid.

First quarter closed with a pass to Garuba, so that the original Italian damage remained nothing more than an anecdote (10–14, 10 minutes). He even placed his first three next to Lull’s three early in the second quarter, creating a new vision for the team as the game progressed. Yes indeed Gallinari also entered the fray. another talentor capable of winning any game (24-24, 16 minutes).

Changing Spain

But Spain has changed. He found Willy Hernangomez, who must have been his source. points always, already Abrinam for the acceleration that turned the scoreboard over (33-28, 20 min.). From somewhere came the energy that was necessary to see more or less recognizable Spain.

A lot of this comes through Willie. He continued to play early in the second half, taking advantage of the Italians’ lack of strength behind the backboards, supported by Abrines, who was also in touch in the corner (45-39, 25 mins). Italy was not taken out of the battle by external forces, although the march was clearly on the side of the current European champion.

Because if Petrucelli and Mannion had saved Italy, Aldama replaced by Spain and brought peace. Although the former Baskonia point guard was able to wake up Pozzecco’s team (54-50, 30 minutes) and enter the final quarter with full options. Spain missed train to close itanother aspect they will gain from the rhythm and tone of the game.

Tight finale

Something Italy read to keep pushing. Mannion and Polonara’s three continued to reduce the difference, and Aldama was left somewhat alone in the attack (58-57, 34′). came to the rescue Rudy with a three to put out a possible fire that Italy wanted to start (61-57, 36′).

Gallinari showed class, but Spain resisted. Juancho and Willy resolutely approached the board, which was what was required of them, and the player in the cooler firmly decided that in hot domains. He did not finish off Italy also because another defeat gave Italy a chance, and Spissu equalized the score before the last minute (70-70, 39 minutes).

A moment of change. Italy, who had more minutes on the court, was stopped by Lull and hit harder. Having almost no time Tonut hit and put Spain against the ropes in the last minute (70-73). But the claw of selection came out again. And I had to be Lull. He found his chance, the review proved him right and tied the game with a score of 9.8 seconds. Sinking under the hoop missed the target and the game went into overtime.

In extra time…

Spain has found a different life. But perhaps this ending weighed too much. Italy did not lose concentration and rushed into extra time. The 1-7 partial, between another triple from Spissu, the energy of Tonut and the class of Melli, fell like a stone in just over a minute.. The worst news since the ecstasy of Lull’s triple (74-80, 41′).

This did not destroy the illusion of Spain. Aldama clung to the game and his two threes again narrowed the game (82-84, 43 minutes). If Italy had won it would have been a tough win and between Ricci and Spissu they lost the ball and La Familia would have had no choice. Spain had another opportunity.

But the move didn’t work. It was played to Willie, the bounce was low and when he got up he couldn’t throw well. This failed and Gallinari made the game impossible with a free throw (84-87). Although he didn’t stop believing until Brizuela missed her last shot. Spain fell… with honors in the premiere, that’s not bad. The result matters less.

– Data sheet:

84 – Spain (10+23+21+19+11): Nunez (3), Abrines (11), Lopez-Arostegui (-), Aldama (11), Willy Hernangomez (23), -starting five-, Garuba (2), Juancho Hernangomez (7), Diaz (-), Lull (8), Rudy Fernandez (9), Pradilla (2), Parra (-) and Brizuela (8).

87 – Italy (14+14+22+23+14): Spissu (14), Tonut (12), Melli (8), Polonara (8), Petrucelli (9) – starting five-, Mannion (8), Abass (-) , Gallinari (16), Paggiola (8), Ricci (4) and Caruso (-).

JudgesStars: Fernando Calatrava, Xavier Torres and Alfonso Olivares. No fixed.

Incidents: The friendly match for the Olympic qualifying games took place at the WiZink Center in front of 8,005 spectators. The preview paid tribute to former Spain player Marc Gasol.