Spain defeats Bulgaria in a new exhibition by Iyana Martín

Spain beat a combative Bulgaria (64-85) this Saturday thanks to a new outstanding performance by the Asturian Iyana Martín. The point guard scored 26 points, 14 of them in the third quarter, and captured five rebounds to lead a victory that places La Familia as leader of Group J of the qualifying phase for Eurobasket 2027, with two victories in two games.

Despite the icy atmosphere in the stands of the SamElyon Arena in Samokov (Bulgaria), both teams started the match with intensity. Bulgaria based its game on the power of its interior, but the change to a zonal defense allowed Spain to stop the offensive success of the locals.

Although the Spanish team did not feel comfortable in the first minutes, they managed to take the lead for the first time with four minutes remaining in the first quarter (12-14), thanks to a mid-range basket by Paula Ginzo. However, two consecutive triples by Radostina Dimitrova returned the initiative to the Bulgarians.

Miguel Méndez's team had a lot of problems from the perimeter and did not open their three-point range (0 of 6) until midway through the second period, when Maite Cazorla broke the drought with a successful shot from the corner. Dimitrova then punished the Spanish defense again and raised the local advantage to four points (32-28), forcing Méndez to stop the game. The Bulgarians also dominated the offensive rebound (11 to 6), driven by former Valencia Basket player Khaalia Hillsman.

When Spain needed it most, Iyana Martín appeared once again. Three consecutive penetrations on the left side of the Oviedo base allowed 'La Familia' to reach the break ahead with a single point difference (37-38).

The Spanish team returned from the locker room with another energy and improved in all the aspects that had penalized them in the first half: they increased their external accuracy, increased their defensive intensity and loaded the offensive rebound better, which allowed them to open a six-point lead.

Spain successfully insisted on the connection between Iyana Martín and Raquel Carrera through pick and roll. As soon as Méndez's team detected Bulgaria's physical wear and tear, they definitely accelerated the pace of the match with a 2-16 run that broke the game, boosted by the 14 points of the brilliant Asturian game director in the third quarter.