On 17 June 2021, in the opening match of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021, the Belarusians prevailed over the current champions of the continent – the team of Spain with a score of 53:51.
Although the starting throw-in was left to the team of Spain, however, the team of Belarus scored the first points in the match: Viktoryia Hasper made a two attempt. Then the teams exchanged losses, after which the team of Spain made an outside shot. In general, the game, most likely, would not be rich in results. For sure, the factor of the opening match and the inherent excitement in such situations affect such situations.
The coach of the hosts of the court took the first time-out in the game. It happened three and a half minutes before the end of the first quarter with the score of 8:5 in favor of the team of Belarus. Clearly, Lucas Mondelo was not satisfied with the vague game of his wards, primarily in attack. Yet, a minute's conversation did not particularly benefit the team of Spain.
The National Team of Belarus was slowly but surely doing its job, which allowed them to leave for the first break, having +5 points (14:9).
The start of the second quarter was not particularly successful for the team of Belarus. Within three and a half minutes, the team of Spain not only caught up with the Belarusians, but also managed to get ahead with a score of 15:14. Fortunately, the wards of Natalia Trafimava did not give up and responded to each subsequent effective action of the opponents with their points scored. As a result, after 20 minutes of playing time, the team of Spain took the lead with a score of 22:21.
Realizing that they can play on equal terms with the current European champions, the team of Belarus began to play more confidently and uninhibited. 180 seconds before the end of the third quarter, Anastasiya Verameyenka put the National Team of Belarus ahead with a score of 31:30. Retaliatory attack of the team of Spain did not work out. In addition, after Maryia Papova’s rebound, who eventually became the most effective player of the match among the roster of both teams, Alexandria Bentley made a mid-range shot. Anastasiya Verameyenka scored the final points in this quarter, scoring 35:33 before the last quarter.
Maryia Papova continued to be the most efficient player in the final 10 minutes of the game. At the right time, Volha Ziuzkova, Aliaksandra Tarasava and Alexandria Bentley helped the leader of the National Team of Belarus in today's match with their accurate attacks. The latter, by the way, was the one to bring the team of Belarus a historic victory. 30 seconds before the buzz, the score was equal, namely 49:49. Free throws were awarded on Papova after a foul of the team of Spain, but she did not flinch, taking the lead with a score of 51:49. 11 seconds before the end of the game, Aliaksandra Tarasava fouled on Kristina Owinye, who also made 2 successful free throws. At the score of 51:51, 8 seconds before the end of the quarter, Natalia Trafimava took a time-out, after which Alex Bentley brought the most historic victory to the national team of Belarus with her midrange shot, winning the match with a score of 53:51.
The best players in the National Team of Belarus: Maryia Papova (19 points, 13 rebounds), Alex Bentley (13 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists), Anastasiya Verameyenka (7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals), Viktoryia Hasper (6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist).
The head coach of the Women's National Team of Belarus Natalia Trafimava said: "Thanks to all those who supported us. This victory is very significant for the team, but this is only the beginning of the championship, and we want to achieve a good result at it. Therefore, we are not going to chill, but we will continue to do our job and go to our goal."
The history of the games of the National Teams of Belarus and Spain at the European championship has 5 games and begins in 2007. That championship became the most successful in the history of the National Team, which then managed to win bronze awards. Despite this, at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2007, twice the team of Spain with a score of 62:76 and 54:70 defeated the team of Belarus. Then, at the World Championship in 2009, the team of Belarus has once again failed to overcome formidable opponents, losing with a score of 56:63. In 2015, in the framework of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket the Women’s Team was unable to cope with the onslaught of rivals, losing with a score of 58:74. On 17 June 2021 Belarusian team rewrote the history of confrontation with the team of Spain, scoring a victory over them in the framework of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket with the score of 53:51.
The next match at FIBA Women's EuroBasket will be held on June 18 against the Slovaks, who lost to the Swedes on June 17 with a score of 57:74. The game starts at 19:00 Belarusian time. The live broadcast of the match is on the Belarus 5 TV channel.
Standings of the teams in Group A:
1-Sweden (1 match -1 win)
2-Belarus (1-1)
3-Spain (1-0)
4-Slovakia (1-0)
Photo: FIBA
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