An overflowing and musketeer-like Spain is in the world elite and requests an appointment with the United States

This young, brave, and supportive Spain that plays unrestrained, fresh, and united, is already in the World Cup semifinals. The team led by Miguel Méndez defeated Australia in the quarterfinals in Berlin and this Saturday (20:00) has earned a high-level appointment, none other than a clash against powerful United States in search of the final (France and Germany will face off in the other match; 16:30). Everyone contributed in Spain to beat an Australian team shaved down by injuries in the interior game and with only nine players available. That sense of solidarity in the game was reflected by Alicia Flórez, chosen as the best of the match with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. In this musketeer Spain that distributed 26 assists, all for one and one for all.

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A three-point contest opened the night. Three for Reid, three for Iyana Martín, the point guard who does not know the word fear. The team wanted to probe inside due to the interior bleeding of the Australians and Méndez bet on the Gustafson-Awa Fam pair, high voltage, while Raquel Carrera waited her turn. Spain was interested in a high pace of the game to exploit their fresher legs against an opponent who had spent a lot of energy the day before in the previous round against Italy. Méndez used the rotation options that Australia had cut down and gave court time to captain Alba Torrens, unseen since the opener against Germany. The leader scored from the perimeter while Awa Fam distributed the game from her lighthouse position. The Spanish center is a luxury player because of her range of skills. With that second unit rounded out by Alicia Flórez, Ortiz, and Ginzo, Spain took a good bite (17-31).

Australia took refuge in outside shooting, the asset on which they built an 8-2 run to get back in the ring. Méndez stopped the game and ordered a return to basics: defense and high ball circulation. The team took a blink to be themselves, firm in defense, quick and supportive in attack. The accuracy of Flórez and Cazorla kept things as they were, and even better for the women in red: 28-46 after a 3-15 stretch. Gustafson finally enjoyed the paint after some tough days due to foot sores and María Conde emerged in both paint areas. All the pieces fit in the team and the spotlight was shared. Australia struggled to contain an overwhelming rival who seemed to be having a lot of fun (37-58).

Iyana and Awa understand each other without looking. In the morning they have fun recording a little dance for social media and at night they are two fierce competitors at only 20 years old. The connection between the point guard and the center fueled Spain after the break as much as the strong arms of Alicia Flórez and Gustafson. The team has the raw material for both finesse and power, capable of managing game moments when points abound as well as when they are scarce, as in a third quarter with a lot of ball hitting the rim for both teams (51-70).

Australia burned their ships and cut the lead because the team struggled to turn on the light and find good shooting positions based on fluidity. Possessions lasted longer than usual and sometimes ended in a dead end or with time running out, a bad sign. The lead was still generous and the clock was running, but Spain had to regain feelings to avoid a bad moment. The game had become dense, surely a product of tension, a delicate matter in a young team like Spain’s. Australia was not in great shape either, very short on strength due to their list of absences, although they would die fighting with a couple of triples. Spain calmed the nerves and closed the door to their rival. In the process, they opened one that leads to their biggest challenge, World Cup semifinals against the United States.

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World Cup quarterfinal results.