Spain resists the Bahamas to return to the Olympic Games
· EurohoopsSetting up a 14th participation in the Olympic Games, Spain prevails over the Bahamas in the Final of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia
By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
In safe distance throughout the second half, Spain defeated the Bahamas, 86-78, to win the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia on Sunday.
A 14-point cushion was cut to six points down the stretch but no further.
Follow all the action of the Olympics qualifiers with Courtside 1891 on DAZN
Logging 18 points to go with four rebounds and three assists, Lorenzo Brown was the top scorer for the team coached by Sergio Scariolo. Willy Hernangomez producing nine of his 15 points in the second half, Santi Aldama packing 12 points, and Usman Garuba tallying ten points shaped the remaining double-digit contributions. Extending his career for a few more weeks before calling it a day, Rudy Fernandez chipped in nine points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
For the team coached by Chris DeMarco, looking to spoil the party in La Fonteta and clinch the first Olympic berth in national team history, Deandre Ayton stood out with a 17-point, 14-rebound double-double in the Final. Buddy Hield recorded a game-high 19 points. V. J. Edgecombe went for 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Following Greece in also using homecourt advantage to reach the Olympics, Spain completed Group A of the preliminary stage along with the team coached by Vassilis Spanoulis. In Lille, the European powerhouses will battle Australia and Canada in a round-robin schedule between July 27 and August 2, hoping to progress to the Quarterfinals and move to Paris.
La Familia will compete in the basketball tournament of the pinnacle event of sports for the 14th time in history, including a seventh berth via an OQT, the most among all countries.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL