WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES, JAPAN
Spain beats Panama
8/20/2006 - 10:58 PM
Spain´s national team rolled over Panama, finishing at 101- 57 in an unequally matched game in which Spain proved itself to be the far superior opponent. Pepu´s players dominated from the first moments of the game with Pau Gasol and Garbajosa taking over in defense and offense. By posting up, the guy from Sant Boi was able to do his thing over and over again against Garcés, and was even able to dish out a few splendid assists to Torrejón, slicing through the 3-second zone.
Pepu was able to move the bench in such a way that rotations in the game weren´t excessively long, so as not to unnecessarily tire out the players. Marc Gasol was able to enjoy minutes on the court again, and he would have had more time had he not fouled three times in the first quarter. A slaughter by Pau closed the second quarter and the players went off to half time with a 20 point lead, the highest point difference in the half. The 47-27 score also demonstrated how centered the players were on their defense. They were focused on offense as well, in spite of what the scoreboard displayed.
As the game continued, the flow didn´t change, in spite the fact that Panama wanted to overcome its problems with its zone defense which was no obstacle for Spain. Pau defeated the defense easily with strategic hits, and Spain´s defense didn´t let down in the least. The were measured substitutions so that all had breaks, as well as chances to shine. At the end of the third quarter there was a 28 point lead (70-42), although a minute before the lead was by 32 points. In the fourth quarter, Berni and Rudy really stood out. The game ended with a 44 point lead by Spain, which was the biggeset score difference of the game. It was confirmed that the team never stopped plowing ahead. This win is the best way to let Spain arrive rested and concentrated to the game against Germany, which will be the first trial by fire of the first phase of play. The Germans were also able to easily beat New Zealand. The upcoming game will make a lot of things about the world games clear, so tune in.
SPAIN, 101 (23-24-23-31)
Pau Gasol (26), Rudy Fernández (21), Carlos Cabezas (1), Juan Carlos Navarro (8), José Manuel Calderón (2), Carlos Jiménez (5), Sergio Rodríguez (2), Berni Rodríguez (15), Marc Gasol (1), Àlex Mumbrú (7) and Jorge Garbajosa (10).
PANAMA, 57 (11-16-15-15)
Rubén Garcés (6), Jair Peralta (3), Rubén Douglas (9), Maximiliano Gómez (0), Kevin Daley (5), Jamal Levi (2), Dionisio Gómez (9), Michael Hicks (7), Ed Cota (2), Antonio García (3), Jaime Lloreda (9) and Eric Cárdenas (2).