• Interview. Marc Gasol: "You can't let someone die at sea, you have to get them to not start that trip"

If the meeting against Iran only served to rescue sensations, Spain took a bath in a sea of ​​doubts. You cannot arrive with less certainty when it comes to the truth of this World Cup. At least, the tight final triumph, allows to go clean of defeats to the second phase. It will be necessary to check if Rudy's left ankle also manages to be lesion free.

The selection did not resolve the night until a minute and a half remained, when a triple of Llull inaugurated the final 8-0 with which he finally settled Iran. All of the above had been a nightmare, with scares included, like Juancho's when he hurt his knee - then he returned normally - and Rudy's on the ankle, more worrisome. Spain, seized, had an uncomfortable rival in the Persians, grown before the deed he was starring. Because at times he really believed in it: in the absence of four minutes he was still ahead on the scoreboard.

The first part was the dawn of a strange succession of paranormal phenomena. The most worrying was that Spain was tense on the parquet floor of the Guangzhou Gymnasium. Against Iran. But no, what the selection was not supported was likewise, as if he wanted to catch the plane to Wuhan as soon as possible, where from Friday life will be played with real fire, against Italy and Serbia that at the same time starred in a duel of high flights in Foshan. I would have agreed to fill the suitcases with confidence, greased dolls and positive feelings. But like the days in Canton, Spain is in this World Cup, for now, gray.

Defeating Iran, already eliminated before the fight, was only a matter of time. Or so it seemed and negatively influenced the horrific spectacle. Because to win, no matter how important the defense is, it should always be noted. And the selection the hoop was getting smaller at each pitch, prolonging Monday's folly against Puerto Rico, gradually despairing.

If he woke up with a monumental mistake, with a 0-10 against to rub his eyes, it took him 16 minutes to get ahead (26-25). Nor is it that he broke the duel, although Rudy's triples at that time were a relief. Spain was only able to make 33 points to Iran and leave with a tiny advantage after a first part that had a lot of hope, of wanting and not being able.

And it is not that on the way back the thing will improve radically. The tonic followed, the laziness another time, with Iran, its unpronounceable figures and the giant Haddadi, looking into the eyes of the national team (42-43), until a streak of four triples (finally!), Three of them Claver -the most positive news-, plus Marc's offensive appearance, gave Spain the first relief (52-43), although the Persian nightmare would soon return. A partial return of 0-10, surprising Spain several times in the backlash, to enter the last act ahead.

Only the rush of final rage prevented a defeat of those who never forget.

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