LILLE (France) - If a game is one the line during crunch time, you might be smart to bank on Spain being the ones to get it done and to cross over it first - it's what they do.
They've just made history at the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 - although in reality, that might leave something of a bitter-sweet taste in the mouth.
They've become the first team in the history of the competition to win consecutive games by a solitary point. They followed their 90-89 overtime win against China with a similarly dramatic and nerve shredding 63-62 triumph against Puerto Rico.
While no doubt preferring to have won by more comfortable margins, Spain are a satisfying 2-0 right now. Other nations without that deep-rooted DNA to dig out wins might have been staring miserably at a 0-2 record.
Plus, nobody ever said it had to be pretty to end up on a podium.
One thing we have in our DNA is that we know how to stay in games - Ortiz
Mariona Ortiz stepped onto the court against Puerto Rico and sparked Spain back into life during the closing minutes when trailing by four points. They were on the ropes and might have even had one knee on the canvas and vulnerable to a knockout blow.
"One thing we have in our DNA is that we know how to stay in games," revealed the guard.
"We know how to fight and sometimes, we know we might have to suffer but will always keep trying to win the game. Plus, other teams know that we are never going to give up.
"We develop this from the young age groups and this is even built into our personalities"
She continued: "Everybody is always ready and that is the good thing about Spain - any player in every game can step up. Today it was me and then also Laura Gil made that huge rebound and two huge free-throws.
"We would love to have clearer and easier games, but we're playing against the best [in this tournament]. Winning by 20 is easier and it's more difficult when you do it this way. But it's good to know we have the experience and mentality to be able to do it." concluded Ortiz.
Spain wrap up their Group A campaign against Serbia on Saturday August 3.
FIBA