Spain borders on the feat in the U-17 Basketball World Cup against the almighty USA (67-79)

Spain has been left on the edge of a historic feat in the U-17 World Cup.

The team led by Javi Zamora has not been able to round off a memorable tournament and has lost in the final against the United States (67-79), the great dominator of the category without discussion.

The North Americans add their sixth U-17 World Cup, triumphing in all the editions that the tournament has been played with a record of 44 consecutive victories.

Spain, who had beaten Australia in the quarterfinals and France in the semifinals, ran out of energy in the last leg of the match after a dream start that turned Martín Carpena upside down.

With the Malaga flag roaring in their favor, Spain came out with two marches, aware that it was the only way to compete against a team made up of clear contenders to reach the NBA.

The USA showed their quality with an almost perfect percentage of success in their first shots, but Zamora's litter pushed more, had more rebounds (5-1 in the first minutes), and shot more to the basket.

His push kept the score level until, after five minutes, he took advantage of three quick counterattacks to get to +7.

The quarter left the US coach with cold blood and he quickly called a timeout with two minutes left in the first quarter.

With Izan Almansa (MVP of the tournament), Aday Mara and Alvaro Folgueiras taking over the paint (17 rebounds between the three at halftime), Spain kept the pulse of American virtuosity.

Oklahoma guard David Castillo led his team's reaction in the second quarter, in which they tightened the score to a difference of only two points at times.

But the Spanish team remained fixed with their plan, focused on closing the defensive rebound and trying to run when the USA turned on the opposite field.

In this way they managed to maintain a distance of +5 at the break (38-33), but the USA had already entered the match with both feet.

Spain suffered the arreones of the North American team in the second part while its gasoline tank began to enter the reserve.

The USA had matched forces in defense with Cooper Flagg (10 points, 17 rebounds, eight blocks and four steals) and Javi Zamora's men struggled to score against the 2.10 meter center.

In one fell swoop, the USA went on an 8-0 run and took the lead for the first time in the match four minutes into the third quarter.

Smelling the blood of a rival that showed signs of fatigue, the American team launched with very high pressure (24 points after losing the USA to six from Spain) and while Spain seemed unable to react to the avalanche that was coming their way.

With two triples, one at the buzzer of forward Karter Knox, they were up 11 on the scoreboard (51-62).

The final got dirty with a tangana in the last moments in which the American players faced the public of Martín Carpena.

The champions are the same as always, but this Spanish generation of 2005 has been about to end their reign.

📹 The tribute of the @AndaluciaJunta to our WORLD CHAMPIONS 2006 and 2019 ❤️

There are no words 😊#LaFamilia #SomosEquipo pic.twitter.com/MT81RIQ23Z

– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) July 10, 2022

Spain

: Álvaro Folgueiras (3 points), Conrad Martínez (9), Izan Almansa (9), Hugo González (16), Lucas Hernández (6), starting five.

Aday Mara (16), Lucas Mari (6), Sergio De Larrea (2), Bruno Vidarte (0), David Barberá (0), Abel Delicado (0) and Ruben Vicente (0).

Coach, Javi Zamora.

United States

: David Castillo (12 points), Ronald Holland (13), Koa Peat (3), Sean Stewart (10), DJ Wagner (6), starting five.

Jeremy Fears (17), Coope Flagg (10), Karter Knox (5), Johnuel Omari (3), Dennis James (0), Ian Jackson (0) and Asa Newell (0).

Trainer Sharman Lamar.

Partials

: 20-13;

18-20;

13-29;

16-17.

José María Martín Carpena Sports Palace, Malaga.

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