EuroBasket 2017: Slovenia stuns Spain to make final

Spain’s reign as European champions will end in three days as the team was dumped out of EuroBasket 2017 on Thursday. In a shocking game, Slovenia downed the champs to stun global Basketball and end Spain’s progression. Slovenia now awaits the winner of Russia and Serbia in Friday’s other EuroBasket 2017 semi-finals.

As for Spain, the team is not heading home just yet and will play for pride and the bronze medal in the third/fourth game on the weekend. Slovenia, on the other hand, is through to the first final in its history and could trouble the record books further with the gold medal.

Slovenia vs. Spain, 72-92

The result is remarkable, but the score and the way the game progressed is also stunning. Spain, loaded with top players, could not live with a Slovenia attack that stayed consistent throughout. It is an offense that has gathered momentum this week and it could prove to be unstoppable. Here, the Slovenians topped the first quarter with a 19-25 run. Spain showed its class in a 26-24 second frame, but the champs trailed 45-49 through the long break.

It was close enough that most believed Spain would carry its momentum and win the game. However, Slovenia kept plundering buckets in the second half and shut down the Spanish attack. It started in the third act with a 12-24 streak that made it 57-73 through thirty minutes. Barring a huge comeback, the game looked done. Spain could not muster that charge as Slovenia turned the fourth quarter screw with a game-winning 15-19 run.

The final buzzer brought the realization that not only had Slovenia reached the final, but the team had done so by brushing aside one of international basketball’s powerhouses.

Slovenia’s own star players clicked, with Goran Dragic and Anthony Randolph nailing 15 points each, while Luka Doncic secured a double-double of 11 points and 12 boards.

Pau Gasol topped Spain but was handled well on his way to a game-high 16 points, with Ricky Rubio dropping 13 points.