Saitama (Japan) (AFP)
Spain, reigning world champion, carried by 26 points from Ricky Rubio, beat Argentina (81-71) and qualified Thursday for the quarterfinals of the Olympic tournament of the Tokyo Games, imitating Slovenia by Luka Doncic, victorious over Japan (116-81).
As in the 2019 World Cup final in China, the Spaniards did not tremble to get rid of the Argentines who nevertheless had a good first quarter (25-20), forced to win they were after their inaugural setback Monday against the Slovenes (118-100).
But La Roja knocked them out in the next (20-9) and quietly managed their advantage, in the wake of the leader Ricky Rubio (26 pts), still excellent, and with Pau Gasol getting better and better inside (9 pts, 8 rebounds) and who is playing his fifth Games at 41 years old.
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Just like Luis Scola, the Argentine pivot, who was not unworthy (13 pts) in this match.
If he does not want the next Sunday against Japan to be the last of his international career, his team will have to win as widely as possible to try to finish among the two best thirds in the group stage and thus validate his presence in quarters.
The Japanese obviously share the same goal, they who also conceded a second defeat in a row against the Slovenians very developed for their first Olympics, thanks to the superstar Doncic.
Author of a sensational introduction (48 pts) against the Albiceleste, Doncic was this time less prolific (25 points anyway), preferring to play his partners.
The leader of the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA delivered seven assists, took as many rebounds and inflicted two blocks in 25 minutes.
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The other Slovenian in sight was Zoran Dragic, brother of Goran who plays for the Miami Heat and skipped the Games, with 24 points scored at 10/13 on shots.
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Opposite, the Japanese star Rui Hachimura, who also plays in the North American League, at the Washington Wizards, unsuccessfully released a big match (34 pts, 7 rebounds).
In addition to Argentina-Japan, on Sunday, the Slovenia-Spain poster will be valid as much for the show as for determining who will finish first in Group C.
© 2021 AFP