Spain wins world bronze in women's basketball after beating Germany in Berlin

When Iyana Martín was born, Spain had already gotten rid of any complex. And that summer of 2006 was a strange thing, a World Cup without a medal, eliminated in the quarterfinals by Russia. That maelstrom that had already begun is what this brilliant Asturian woman continues today, the proper name, in capital letters, of the umpteenth success. In Berlin, neither the atmosphere nor the fatigue could defeat the team, which swept Germany for the world bronze medal, the 17th medal in its history, the 16th of this century. [81-58: Narration and statistics]

No time for regrets, with the wounds still open from the defeat in the semifinals against the unattainable United States just 18 hours before, so close and so far from the feat. But with pride intact. The blot that was the absence at the 2022 World Cup in Sydney finally became the umpteenth cry of competitiveness in Spanish women's basketball. The confirmation of a generation that promises glory. The fourth world medal, the third bronze. That of Iyana of course, but also that of her generation partner Awa Fam, that of the imposing Raquel Carrera and also that of the veterans, starting with Alba Torrens who was in all the passes. It wasn't even necessary for the captain to appear in the duel, a farewell worthy of her legend, 11 medals around her neck. Unmatched.

Germany in Berlin was a rival in sheep's clothing. Swept in the first phase, but ready to jump the bench as they did in the quarterfinals against Belgium. And with the encouragement of the stands of the Berlin Arena before a milestone, now in the semifinals, historic for them. Very early on Spain wanted to make things clear, with a powerful first quarter in which they led by 13 (22-9). They played with what Iyana wanted and Megan Gustafson, then something grayer, accompanied.

But fatigue did not take long to appear. And the doubts. And the failures of the North American. And the successes of the locals, especially the well-toned Alexis Peterson. Only a couple of final actions by Carrera, the other leg of the victory (15 points and five assists), maintained the Spanish advantage at halftime (40-36).

It was time to restart. Finding fluidity after a physically devastating tournament. But the duel was a tangle and Spain survived in it thanks to strokes of genius and offensive rebounds. As soon as their connections clicked, everything started to click. Iyana and Raquel Carrera combined for a blow to Germany at a key moment. That 15-0 was going to be the beginning of the end.

The attack flowed because the defense raised the bar and Germany, clearly inferior, was left without an answer. You just had to stay calm and keep the pace high for a while longer, endure the host's onslaught of pride. Like the 8-0 response, taking advantage of Iyana's brief time on the bench, who plays at 20 as if she were 35: there is nothing that happens on the court that escapes the control of the point guard, number 7 in the last WNBA draft. The new Spar Girona player returned with another triple to close the third act. And two more, from Conde and Cazorla, raised the maximum (72-51).