Hernangomez-led Spain beats Finland to make EuroBasket semis for 11th straight time / News - Basketnews.com

Willy Hernangomez posted 27 points in 24.5 minutes, while Spain overcame a 15-point deficit and eliminated Finland from EuroBasket title contention.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Spain made the EuroBasket semifinals for the 11th consecutive time (since 1999) by overcoming a 15-point deficit and defeating high-flying Finland, 100-90 (19-30, 24-22, 30-15, 27-23).

Player of the Game EFF 26 Willy Hernangomez Points 27 Accuracy 10-13 Rebounds 5 Assists 0

Spain became the first team to have won a game in the EuroBasket 2022 after being down by 15 or more points.

Unlike the one-sided third quarter, the last 10 minutes of the match went neck-on-neck.

Lauri Markkanen had a chance to tie the game at 84 with four minutes to go, but his attempt was denied by Willy Hernangomez. Dario Brizuela used the opportunity, made the three on the other end, and Spain had plus 5 points (87-82).

Rudy Fernandez added a clutch three-point bucket, while Spain's lead grew up to 8 points (90-82) with 2:57 to go. Both national teams exchanged with successful attacks, and Rudy Fernandez scored a dagger from downtown to seal the deal for Spain (95-84).

Willy Hernangomez was impressive for Spain, posting 27 points (10/13 2PT, 7/8 FT), 5 rebounds, and 28 EFF in 24.5 playing minutes. Vintage Rudy Fernandez remembered his best days with 11 points (1/2 2PT, 3/5 3PT), 5 steals, and 15 EFF.

Miro Little and Alexander Madsen scored five points apiece, while Finland went on an 18-6 run to have a 9-point cushion (24-15) with 2 minutes to go in the first quarter.

Petteri Koponen converted a long-range shot, Mikael Jantunen put a cherry on top with a buzzer-beater triple from mid-court, and Finland was in front by 11 (30-19). Finland scored 30 points in the first quarter, with Lauri Markkanen having just two of them.

Although Finland created a record-breaking 15-point advantage in the second period, the Hernangomez brothers managed to keep Spain in fighting distance after the first half (43-52). They combined for 23 points at halftime.

Willy Hernangomez continued his domination under the baskets, scoring 10 points at the start of the third tally. Spain jumped to a 17-5 push and already had a three-point lead (60-57) in the mid-third quarter.

Lauri Markkanen scored 11 points to apply pressure on running Spain but Rudy Fernandez and Dario Brizuela nailed two triples, and Spain was leading by 6 points (73-67) before the last 10 minutes of the game.

Spain: Willy Hernangomez 27 (5 REB), Juancho Hernangomez 15, Dario Brizuela 14, Rudy Fernandez 11 (5 STL), Lorenzo Brown 10 (11 AST).

Finland: Lauri Markkanen 28 (11 REB, 35 EFF), Mikael Juntanen 18, Alexander Madsen 13, Sasu Salin 11.

Willy Hernangomez's performance:

Game highlights:

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