Spain defeated Argentina 95-75 in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Final in Beijing on Sunday, claiming the country's first title since 2006. Ricky Rubio scored 20 points, the highest on his team, to lead Spain.
Juan Hernangomez #41 of Spain shoots in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Final against Argentina at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo
Spain started the first quarter 12-2. In offense, the team tried to slow down the pace by using the full 24-second limit in each possession. Even in transition offense, the players made sure that the ball went through as many hands as possible. Ricky Rubio who found himself left open did not shoot from the 3-point line but chose to dribble towards the rim, squeezing Argentina's defense. Moreover, Spain invested a lot of efforts in competing for offensive rebounds using their size advantage – Juan Hernangomez got two.
In response, Argentina were determined to drive up the speed of the game and increased ball pressure on their opponents. Though they managed to narrow the score difference down with a 10-2 run, the team committed too many turnovers (5-2) in this quarter, watching Spain expand the lead to nine points (23-14) after Q1.
Sergio Llull #23 of Spain drives towards the rim in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Final against Argentina at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo
Spain started the second quarter with another 8-3 run, establishing a double-digit lead. Though Argentina began to grow warm with their 3-pointers in this quarter and launched more fast breaks, Spain continued to assault the basket, keeping their lead at around 10 points all the time.
Unlike in their previous games, Argentina in offense were at a standstill in most cases – when one was penetrating or posting up, the others were often standing instead of keeping moving. As a result, Spanish players were easily able to get the best position for stealing the ball or rebounding.
The first half ended 43-31, a 12-point lead by Spain. No player on either side scored double-digit points.
Marc Gasol (R) of Spain blocks a shot in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Final against Argentina at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo
Argentina increased their attacks against the rim in the third quarter. However, as their cold shoot from the 3-point line continued to freeze, they only gave Spain more reasons to stay in the paint, denying Argentina's shots and grabbing rebounds with their better heights. In defense, Argentina tried to go all-court on Spain but they were simply too short to interfere with Spain's passing.
In less than five minutes, Spain expanded their lead to 21 points (54-33).
Without many options in their pockets, Argentina continued to enhance aggressiveness in defense and decisiveness in offense. Nonetheless, it only took Spain two possessions to calm down and ruin the opponents' progress achieved through two straight 3-pointers. The game entered the last quarter 66-47.
Sergio Llull (R) of Spain handles the ball under the double teaming of Argentinian players in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Final at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, September 15, 2019. /VCG Photo
Argentina did not give up in the fourth quarter and continued to ball pressure against Spain. However, their efforts worked better than in Q3. Without enough confidence from the 3-point line, the team could only chase relying on earning free throws, which was slow and unsteady. In defense, though Argentinian players exerted impressive pressure on their opponents, Spanish players always managed to go through their encircling and suppressing.
After eight minutes of tussling, Spain were still leading by 20 points (90-70). Argentina then began to send their youngsters who had not played in the World Cup to the court to at least experience the tournament.
In the end, Spain claimed the final victory thanks to their steadiness, toughness and experience.