BRATISLAVA (Slovakia) - A collective sigh of relief could be felt by the reigning champions as Spain finally grabbed their first victory in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers by surviving Slovakia 76-72 in double overtime on the road.
Spain were all but finished at the end of the first extra period and seemed doomed to a 0-3 record in Group C. But Santi Yusta buried a spectacular three-pointer at the buzzer to force another five minutes, and from there, they managed to take the win.
Turning point
Spain led 38-25 and appeared to have control of the game. Slovakia stuck close in the third quarter eventually took the lead. Brodziansky had a chance to win the game for his side but made just one of two free throws with 5.8 seconds to go in regulation.
Simon Krajcovic put Slovakia ahead 63-61 with a three-pointer with 92 seconds left in overtime. Brodziansky made just one of two free throws with 30 seconds, but Yusta's heroic three-pointer at the buzzer sent the game to a second overtime.
Oriol Pauli missed two free throws and Spain up two points with 13 seconds, before Miquel Salvo iced the game with two free throws after grabbing the offensive rebound.
Game hero
Yusta finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds in a game in which Spain struggled offensively. Fran Guerra had 13 points and Miquel Salvo had 13 points, while head coach Sergio Scariolo also incorporated the next generation of La Familia with three teenagers as debutants: Izan Almansa, Sergio De Larrea and Mario Saint-Supery.
And it was a player who is spending his sixth season in the last seven years in the Spanish ACB - Slovakian big man Vladimir Brodziansky - who almost sunk the Iberians. The UCAM Murcia man poured in 23 points.
Bottom line
The main thing is Spain got the win. They have destiny in their own hands with a 1-2 mark in Group C. Spain would secure a spot in next summer's spectacle with a second victory over Slovakia on Monday in Ourense. Slovakia for their part remain winless at 0-3 and must bounce back in Spain to keep their hopes alive.
They said
FIBA