My Spain/Czech Republic notes (Spain won in OT 80-78)
Monday 16 August 2004
The scoreline indicates this was an exciting game and I guess it was but it's a game I would rather forget. Both coaches looked grumpy after the game and rightfully so.
There are several concepts both teams have to learn - #1 shot selection and #2 defence. Both teams took 'catch and shoot' to an entirely new level. Sure it was nice when they were making the shots but there were large stretches of the game (like two and a half quarters) where the teams were just bricking all kinds of shots very badly with little attempt at decent offensive execution. Defence wasn't that good either but hey, these are European teams so I shouldn't be that surprised.
The Spanish nearly choked in this game. With 15 secs to go and the Czechs being up by 1 and having possession, the Spanish let the Czechs run with the ball for about 10 secs before fouling them - WTF?! The Czechs could have dribbled out the clock and stolen the win after the Spanish had led for most of the game. The Spanish team should thank Palau for that huge 3 at the end of regulation because it saved them from a very embarrassing choke.
Player observations - Valdemoro was huge for Spain. She was invisible for the first three quarters but stepped up in the 4th quarter and in overtime with some huge shots. It's even more impressive when you consider the fact she's carrying a very serious injury at the moment and is very limited. Palau also had a great game and worked hard while ex-Libs Ferragut and Cebrian were a bit "meh". Garcia was a spark off the bench. For the Czechs, well they all seem the same to tell you the truth - big players who can rebound and knock down perimeter shots. However they seem to lack that killer instinct - something Kamila could have provided. Point guard (and ex-Miracle player) Hamzova did a solid job running the point and Viteckova shows potential.
I don't think either of these teams seem to be medal contenders at this point. I think China will be the #2 team out of Group B but they may have their hands full with the #3 team out of Group A.