Turkey had fight but they lacked energy and Spain made light work of a tired opponent to move to 1-1 in Group B, writes Emmet Ryan
Sergio Llull got proceedings under way from deep in the final game of the night. After overcoming Italy on the opening day, Ergin Ataman’s 8-deep strategy was likely to be tested to the limit by a Spain team that is happy to use its full bench. Te opening minutes swung slightly in Spain’s favour but a big score by Cedi Osman (great hair) roused the Turkish team. Spain looked far smoother than the previous night however with defesnive movement and offensive spacing that was calm but quick. Nikola Mirotic looked particularly focused, possibly after reading all those pieces yesterday saying Nemanja Bjelica is better than him, and was energetic in transition for Spain while smartly picking his shots. Osman however stepping up for Turkey, with a steal he plain slapped out of the air as Llull looked to pass which the Anadolu Efes man then promptly dunked at the other end. For all of Osman’s fire it was Spain who were clearly having the better of the early exchanges. Pau Gasol could do what he liked inside and that gave Spain plenty of options to work off him. Spain were good for their 24-18 lead at the end of the first.
The concern Turkey had to have was that the fatigue of last night’s taxing battle with Italy was going to show and Spain would strike. Through the third it wasn’t looking promising. Fernando Sam Emeterio and Felipe Reyes each had all the time in the world from outside and Spain’s lead was up to 14 in no time. Turkey used a few more bodies in an effort to have some fresh blood on the floor. Oguz Savas entered early in the frame after not seeing any action against Italy. Ali Muhammed showed he still had some spring in his step with an athletic steal but even he was below his full pace after leaving it all on the floor against the Italians. That was the must-win game for Turkey, this was one they could lose but with a day’s rest you have to wonder if they would have been this sluggish. A Llull three compounded Turkey’s problems as Spain surged ahead. While Turkey looked like they still had hope at the end of the first frame, this one was done well before the half. A Gasol three brought up 50 on the scoreboard amd Spain were well on their way to their first victory of these championships. At the half, Spain led 54-38.
Yesterday I asked about Turkey’s ceiling and the one thing this game managed to show was that rest days are going to be vital. The three games in a row are going to hurt but if Turkey can at least secure a top three finish, still well within their compass, they could be a different outfit in the knockout rounds. There Ergin Ataman can run his side into the ground and get his top talents to carry them as far as possible. In the here and now, it was a tough night at the office. Midway through the third Spain’s lead had grown to 25. Group play suits this squad, they have the roster to take the pounding of five games in six days. Nobody’s going to get over-stretched and when they are this fresh, it’s no surprise to see Rudy Fernandez get open for a corner three to stretch the lead more. With 10 minutes to go this one was safely in the books as Spain were well ahead 81-56. Spain brought up the ton with just over 2 minutes to go at the end of an easy victory.
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