Spar Girona ended the year in the best possible way: with a victory. The Girona team dominated the entire match and only saw their victory threatened midway through the third quarter (50-54). However, the team’s reaction and collective play made the difference for Roberto’s team, who ended up beating Olímpic 63-78.
The opening half of Spar Girona against Olímpic (1-7) did not intimidate Joventut, who, through Piera (5 points), came close to the score (5-9). However, the Girona team returned to their preferred style of play and increased the pace of the match, standing out thanks to their offensive transitions, team play and long-range accuracy (12-23). Uni’s collective attack continued throughout the first ten minutes (7 points by Lundquist and 6 by Bibby), but three consecutive baskets by Coulibaly brought the home team back to within one (20-29).
With the change of quarter, the dynamics of the match changed radically. The pressure from the Penya stopped Uni’s offensive play, but the home team’s blunders prevented them from taking advantage of this situation, and Roberto stopped the match at 6:12 to the end of the second quarter (22-29). The solutions were not long in coming, and a three-pointer by Touré followed by a basket by Bibby revitalized the Girona team’s scoring momentum (22-34). The home coach responded with a timeout, but despite this, Uni held on thanks to another three-pointer by Bibby (24-37). However, five consecutive points from López put the greens within seven points (30-37). At the end of the quarter, Íñiguez designed a play that Bibby executed successfully (32-39). Vizcaíno also stopped the game to prepare an action, and López put the home team back within seven points (32-39).
Once again, with the change of dressing rooms and the change of quarter, Uni was erratic in attack, which Cotano and Piera took advantage of to bring the score closer (36-39). Finally, after many attempts, Klara’s actions and a three-pointer from Bibby restored the +10 on the scoreboard (36-46). Coulibaly replied with a three-pointer (39-46), but Uni responded with an assist from Chloe for Hristova (39-48). At this point, the refereeing decisions began to determine the match, but, luckily, Joventut was unable to turn the situation around, and Lundquist hit a three-pointer (40-51). However, Joventut reacted, and two three-pointers by Dembelé, added to Cruz’s free throws (due to Uni’s bonus), put the home team within just four points (50-54). And when Penya was at its best, Uni responded strongly, imposing a 2-7 run (Caldwell’s shots, Guerrero’s three-pointer and a Touré tackle) to close the quarter with a favorable score of 52-61.
Unlike the other quarters, Spar Girona started well, with a basket just a foot away from Canella (52-63). Then, a great collective play was capped by Touré from long range (52-66), and she herself responded with another three-pointer to make it 55-69. Despite the Penya’s timeout, Bibby’s actions made the difference for Uni (59-76, with 25 points). Finally, Spar Girona ended up defeating Olímpic by 63 to 78.
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