Beijing (AFP)
Spain and Australia will play an uncertain duel in the semi-finals of the basketball World Cup Friday in Beijing (10:00 am French time), where the elimination of the United States has sharpened the thirst for gold .
The Spaniards know this sensation for having won the title in 2006, against Greece, who was responsible for eliminating Team USA in the previous round. Of that time, there are only two players, Rudy Fernandez and Marc Gasol, NBA champion this season with Toronto and leader of the team in the absence of his brother Pau.
The Iberian selection is also deprived of several other holders like Sergio Rodriguez, Serge Ibaka and Nikola Mirotic, but she still won all her matches in China, including the clash against Serbia in the second round.
The team was able to rely on its other three NBA players, leader Ricky Rubio, best scorer (15.3 average points) and passer (5.3), and brothers Juancho and Willy Hernangomez inside. , and on the back of Real Madrid Sergio Llull, a former MVP of the Euroleague (2017).
Spain is a big regular on international podiums. The last she missed is the last World Cup, in 2014 at home, eliminated in the quarterfinals by France. In 2016, she took the bronze medal of the Rio Games by beating Australia (by one point).
The "Boomers", still looking for a podium for this talented generation, have five NBA players in their ranks, led by the twirling leader of San Antonio Patty Mills (22.2 points average). There is also Aron Baynes three-point shooters, back Matthew Dellavedova, dealer Joe Ingles and veteran pivot Andrew Bogut.
The Australians are also unbeaten since the beginning of the tournament and have beaten France on the lead in the second round in a spectacular match (100-98).
In preparation, they had revealed the vulnerability of the Americans by beating them in Melbourne. Since Team USA has been eliminated in quarters by France.
© 2019 AFP