The “Chus Mateo era” began with a victory in Denmark. The first step towards the 2027 World Cup in Qatar was taken with relative solvency in Farum. In a selection full of new features, starting with the bench, the team showed the forcefulness necessary to get rid of the weakest rival in this first phase. The second chapter, on Sunday in Tenerife against Georgia, the executioner of the past Eurobasket.
A smaller selection appeared opposite at the premiere. Number 60 in the FIBA ranking that also did not have its two great references, two Euroleague players. Shevon Shields (Armani Milan) and Iffe Lundberg (Maccabi Tel Aviv), two top level players, were not available in Farum. Almost half of the Danish team plays or has played in Spain in lower categories or with little prominence in the Endesa League. The Nordics have never played in a World Cup and it looks like they won’t be in Qatar 2027 either. To be in the current qualifying round, they overcame a previous phase where they faced Croatia, two losses, and Norway, two wins. That is why the locals complied with competing in the first quarter and never losing face of the game. In reality, falling by 10 points is little less than a victory for the Nordics.
Chus Mateo’s Spain was an ambitious, fast and choral team. With Santi Yusta as the only survivor from the past Eurobasket, the new coach opted for the classics of the call to start. It was a very recognizable quintet from Spain. Alberto Díaz, Jaime Fernández, Santi Yusta, Dani Díez and Fran Guerra. All important players in their teams and with international experience. It was a Spain that ran at the slightest opportunity and had Yusta (10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists) and Fernández (15 points) as its main offensive threats. The top scorer in the Endesa League and the guard from La Laguna Tenerife counteracted the Nordics’ initial success.
The first rotations were the two players who are not in the Endesa League. Álvaro Cárdenas, Peristeri’s point guard on loan from Valencia Basket, and Great Osobor (12 points and 8 rebounds) maintained the scoring pace despite the poor day in outside shooting. The best thing about the selection is that all the members contributed. All of them have a prominent role in their teams and between the scoring fluidity and the defense they were wearing down the resistance of the Danes. Spain gave the final push in the third quarter when the differences went above ten points. It was about achieving a reassuring difference so that the Danes did not dream of an improbable comeback in the last quarter. When Spain chained a brief streak of external success, the differences were close to twenty and the game was over. Despite the commendable efforts of the Danes. The chaos that engulfed the match in the final minutes left the final difference at ten points.
In a group with Denmark, Georgia and Ukraine, Spain should have no problem getting into the next round – three qualify – with a good number of victories. Then three more teams will arrive from the group made up of Greece, Montenegro, Portugal and Romania. Being in Qatar 2027 is an obligation and the first step was taken successfully in Farum.
64. Denmark (23+10+14+17): Jensen (20), Knudsen (11), Dibba (11), Erikstrup (10) and Larsen (4) – starting quintet – Klussmann (0), Pedersen (5), Heede-Andersen (3), Jukic (0) and Moller (0).
74. Spain (25+20+15+14): Díaz (6), Fernández (15), Yusta (10), Díez (4) and Guerra (2) – starting quintet – Cárdenas (6), Osobor (12), Reyes (0), Almansa (4), Paulí (8), Costa (2) and Alonso (5).
Referees: Kozlovskis (Let), Proc (Pol) and Zupancic (Esl). No eliminated.
Incidents: 2,600 spectators at the Arena Farum. Match corresponding to the first day of qualification for the Qatar 2027 World Cup.
1st day: Denmark, 64-Spain, 74 and Georgia, 79-Ukraine, 92.
Classification Group A: 1. Ukraine (1/0); 2. Spain (1/0); 3. Denmark (0/1); 4. Georgia (0/1).
2nd day: Spain-Georgia (day 30, 7:45 p.m., TDP) and Denmark-Ukraine (day 30, 6:00 p.m.).