Mali punctured the balloon of euphoria that Spain had inflated with its overwhelming victory in the premiere of the Women's World Cup against the host Germany. The African team beat the national team (82-73) with a very physical and mobile game that made Miguel Méndez's group unrecognizable. That fresh and happy basketball of the debut disappeared until suffering a defeat that hardens the road in Berlin. Germany beat Japan in the other group match (74-58) and now the four teams are tied with one victory and one loss. To be first in the group, and directly access the quarterfinals, Spain must beat Japan on Monday (17.50) and wait for Germany to beat Mali at the same time. The team will be second if it beats the Japanese and the Africans beat the hosts; third if Mali loses and wins; and fourth, and eliminated (second and third play a match prior to the quarterfinals), if they lose to Japan and Germany win.
The team left its worst face after barely having 16 hours of rest between the end of the clash against Germany and the match against Mali, a consequence of a tournament concentrated in just 10 days. Bad deal against a team like the African team, which required strong legs and quick hands. That display failed Spain as much as the game. As a reflection, a balance of 42 missed field goals and a fateful sequence in the triples: 4 of 22. Without a collective antidote, Iyana Martín shone (20 points, five rebounds and four assists) against a Mali led by Sika Koné (19 points and 10 rebounds), the usual MVP power forward in the Endesa Women's League.
The script soon went awry. Due to fatigue or because the rival seemed to have less cachet, Spain had a hard time starting the bike and did not add the first basket in play until after two minutes, a combination between Iyana and Conde that the forward converted to the past hoop. Although the selection was not the same one that had overwhelmed the hosts. She stumbled in her throw and pass, slower and more imprecise, while Mali's runs gave the African team an initial lead (8-3) that Méndez tried to stop with an early timeout to reset. All the shots that flew in on Friday were spit out of the rim this time (first five triples missed). The coach began to distribute charges and minutes and Gustafson commanded that second unit to wake up the Spanish team. The team began to contain Mali's quick transitions and short attacks and to circulate the ball with a point more speed. There was work ahead in the Max Schmeling Halle (19-17 at the end of the first quarter).
The recovery had to begin by rebuilding a defense that had conceded too much. The team had a hard time stopping that basic rebound and long pass formula that Mali exploited to launch some sprinter and attack the Spanish basket. The solution was to tune up the wrist and not allow that counterattack opportunity, but the percentages of the players in red were at rock bottom (22 missed field goals in the first two quarters) and inaccuracies in the pass were common. The triple was a drama: 0 of 9 at halftime. The reaction came from the hand of Iyana and her connection with Awa to capture a minimal advantage (32-34) against a very physical African team in a very close duel.
Spain suffered a world to stop the attacks and the clash of shoulders of the Malian players. Alicia Flórez crashed without fear, earning the minutes on the court instead of Cazorla and finally scoring the first three-pointer made after 11 consecutive misses by the team. Gustafson also relieved Fam, this time unsuccessfully. Conde, a dagger against Germany, was outmatched in defense. His face on the bench symbolized Spain's state of concern. Mali did get the triples that Méndez's group missed and gained good positions in the zone. Spain was unable to contain the bleeding from within (61-48).
The team was on the ropes. Without a trace of Awa Fam, unrecognizable, failing in the pass, under the board and even in the free throws. The center showed that she is only 20 years old and lacks a point of concentration to overcome those bumps in the game and not blame herself for mistakes. Mali did not forgive one, very plugged into the outside shot and with good circulation to always find a free player. Despite Iyana Martín's final resistance, the distance was an ocean: 73-57. Spain could no longer save him, now forced to beat Japan on Monday and do the math to be first in the group. The Spanish base summarized: “We have not known how to adapt or prepare for such a physical match, we have not been up to the task.”
