Spain opened with purpose as the European Basketball 2025 journey began with a 65-70 home setback to Croatia, a result that underscored the need for sharper perimeter shooting after a frustrating afternoon beyond the arc. The next challenge awaits, with Austria coming to Tenerife on Sunday.
Miguel Méndez’s squad entered the game as favorites, yet they encountered a bold, motivated Croatian side that refused to concede easily. Early on, Croatia showed resilience, trailing by just two points in the first quarter but flipping the script with a 19-12 burst that set the tone for a competitive night.
Spain, initially stung by a quiet outside game and chasing rebounds, steadied itself with composure. The roster did not panic when scoring opportunities were scarce. Instead, they found rhythm through timely baskets by María Conde and Leo Rodríguez, clipping the deficit to 19-16 as the opening period closed.
The clash carried into the second period, and the court remained a battleground. Although Croatia occasionally eased off the throttle, the Spanish defense grew more deliberate and the offense found its footing, even as the perimeter remained a work in progress. A concerted long-range effort kept Croatia in front, with 21 of their 34 points coming from beyond the arc. Iva Slonjsak stood out, delivering four three-pointers on six attempts at moments when Spain seemed to seize momentum. The teams reached halftime with Croatia ahead 34-32, leaving Spain ample room to tighten the screws.
Returning to play, Spain showed improved cohesion on both sides of the floor. A steadier defensive tempo and smarter attacking choices yielded a 2-10 run in the first four minutes after the break, forcing the Croatian bench to call a timeout as the score swung to 36-42.
The game stayed tight into the latter stages, with neither side establishing clear control. The balance tipped intermittently, and the last ten minutes were a test of nerve and precision (45-47 entering the final period). Patricia Bura emerged as the top Croat with 15 points and eight rebounds, briefly shifting momentum at the outset of the final quarter. Center Laura Gil and Patricia shared the scoring load, until Maite Cazorla connected from downtown to put Spain ahead 50-57 with just a few minutes left in regulation.
Despite Croatia’s efforts to close the gap, Spain held firm. Paula Ginzo maintained a steady cushion from mid-range as the clock wound down, and Stipe Bralic halted another Spain surge with a late defensive stand. María Conde extended the lead with a crucial three, sealing the control of the scoreboard for Spain and securing their first victory in the EuroBasket knockout phase.
Final results: Croatia 65, Spain 70. Croatia’s top scorers included Cvitkovic with 10, Slonjsak with 14, and Bura with 15, while Lazic and Perisa contributed as well. Spain’s leaders were Casas with 11, Conde with 12, and Gil with 11, supported by Cazorla, Torrens, and Ginzo among others. The referees for the match were Viola Györgyi, Paulina Gajdosz, and Andrea Bongiorni. The game took place at the Gripe Sports Hall in Split as part of the EuroBasket 2025 qualifying schedule.