Spain defeated Senegal very easily this Thursday 84-51 and is closer to World Cup qualification which will be held next September in Germany.
If anyone had doubts about whether this group came to the event under pressure, they only had to watch the video that the FEB published minutes before the game of their players relaxing listening to Drake in the locker room.
As happened 24 hours earlier in the debut against New Zealand, Spain clearly surpassed Senegal from the start of the match, this time thanks to the great start from María Araujo
The Valencia Basket center signed up 8 of the 25 points that Spain accumulated in the first quarterwho won easily, 25-13.
Spain went to half-time doubling the score
The Spanish continued to dominate the match until obtaining a lead of 19 points (36-17), although the Spanish coach Miguel Méndez asked for time.
However, after that break, Senegal contained the Spanish offensive for almost three minutes, which again led Méndez to call a timeout and gather his players. That time was vital for the squad, as two triples in a row, one from Helena Pueyo and the other from Araujo, extended the lead to 21 points (42-21) to close the first half of the challenge.
In the third quarter Awa Fam was the main weapon Spain’s offensive, with the help of her teammate Elena Buenavida (55-24) with 4:07 remaining.
Iyana Martín hit two triples in a row and Pueyo added another at the end of the period and Spain dominated Senegal 30-13 in the third period to leave with a comfortable lead in the last quarter with a score of 72-34.
In the fourth and final period, the Spanish raised their foot somewhat and it was the only quarter favorable to the Senegalese (12-17).
Next appointment, before the hosts with the United States on the horizon
The tournament will award three places for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026which will take place from September 4 to 13 in Berlin. The United States already has afour-time champion, defending champion but at the same time one of the participants in this tournament, which The Spanish will be measured next Tuesday at 10 p.m..
Two days before, Italy will be our rival on Sunday, less than 24 hours after the Puerto Rico-Spain before the hosts, at one in the morning on the night of Saturday to Sunday and with live broadcast on Teledeporte and RTVE Play.
