Méndez’s team begins the preparation tour with good feelings
The Spanish women’s basketball team defeated Turkey (59-47) this Friday in the Vigo Tournament, the first stop on the preparation tour for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Miguel Méndez’s team showed a desire to hit the court at the As Travesas Sports Center, after days of physical exertion in search of recovering the rhythm of more than a month without competition. With the debut of Awa Fam and Iyana Martín, Spain left good feelings despite having time and work ahead of them.
Back in action since they sealed their ticket to Paris in the Sopron Olympic Qualifiers in February, the team started with little success, but did not stop searching for the rival goal. Furthermore, the host’s defense was always better and Turkey suffered even more to score, with the rebound also being Méndez’s responsibility.
María Conde, with 11 points, had a great first half, without that effectiveness problem, but the Vigo coach, playing at home, measured his efforts a lot and distributed minutes. Paula Ginzo, also playing close to her countrywoman, had another great performance and was the one on the court the longest with 25 minutes.
Leticia Romero boosted Spain’s game and Queralt Casas provided the success that seemed to cost so much (33-25). Awa Fam made a debut that seems unstoppable among the majors, but after the restart Turkey increased the intensity in the paint. There, she took the pike and shovel to Spain, with the second debut of the night, that of Iyana Martín.
The host satisfied Vigo with an undisputed victory, always with a good cushion despite Méndez’s attempts, which worked and awakened the competitive gene of a Spain that wants to once again taste the Olympic podium as in Rio de Janeiro 2016. On Sunday, against China, a rival in the Games, will be the second preparation match as a culmination of the event in Vigo.