Spain Falls To Russia

Russia 64 - Spain 49

The only score in the first 2 minutes came from the charity stripes. Lucila Pascua scored the first field gaol of the match as she managed to work herself inside the paint. Maria Stepanova  showed her soft touch with a delicate 3-pointer to put Russia back in front, while Olga Arteshina added a second 3-pointer moments after. Anna Montanana responded with a trey for Spain as to say we can also hit 3 pointers, too.

Russia leading with (7-5) changed offensive tactics that allowed Ilone Korstin to find room under the basket to score her first points of the match. The pace which was never slow picked up and it was end to end stuff with moments of brilliance from both sides and both were made to work hard for every point. Maria Stepanova scored 9 of her team's 16 first period points and already took 7 rebounds as they led by 3 points at the end of the first period (16-13).

Marta Zurro brought it back to a one-point game right from the start of the second period. Points were next to impossible to come by and Russia still led (18-17) midway though the period. Laia Palau put Spain briefly in front as an offensive mix-up by Russian was exploited by her as she went from one end of the court to the other and finished with a lay-up. Russia's only response came from the free-throw line to regain the lead. Nuria Martinez restored Spain's lead from beyond the arc. It was not easy for either side to penetrate each other's area and even when they succeeded it was impossible for the players to control their speed in executing lay-ups, the ball simply bounced back off the backboard. Russia went into the interval leading (24-22) thanks to Stepanova hitting one of her trademark's jumpers during the last minute.

Amaya Valdemoro was very active for Spain at the start of the 3rd period as they traded basket for basket in an exciting phase in which both sides made shots that they missed in the first half of the match. Russia managed to extend their advantage (37-30) before Spain, through Montanana and Palau, hit back to back scores for Spain (37-35). The scores remained close through the remaining of the period as the contest Stepanova - Valdemore intensified with 9 and 10 points respectively during the quarter. Russia's advantage was now 3 points (45-42) going into the final period.

A brutal acceleration in the Russian offensive play put them in the driving seat as their advantage grew (56-45) with just five minutes left on the clock. Spain for the first time in the competition could not find a way back into the match and will now face Belgium in the quarter final.

 Russia will play Lithuania in their quarterfinal match after winning (64-49)

Stepanova top scored with 19 points and she also toped the rebound statistics with 10. Irina Osipova and Svetlana Abrosimova also made double digits with 13 and 10 respectively. Amaya Valdemoro scored 14 points for Spain.

Photo Courtesy of LOKOS X EL BALONCESTO FEMENINO