Spain Drops First Eurobasket Setback to Belgium, Faces Montenegro Next
Spain suffered its first defeat in Eurobasket with a 73-83 loss to Belgium. The team’s physical presence and ability to leverage strengths were on display, but it proved insufficient to overcome Belgium’s firepower. The focus now shifts to Tuesday’s duel against Montenegro, a critical step in securing a spot in the knockout rounds as this group remains highly competitive.
Earlier, Spain had shown calm and confidence in victories over Bulgaria (114-87) and Georgia (64-90). In the third group game, coached by Sergio Scariolo, they faced a tougher test as Belgium entered the contest with momentum and the possibility of advancing to the next phase. A win was essential to keep the door to the last 16 ajar.
Two early issues for the Spanish side surfaced in this matchup. Rebounding and three-point efficiency were under scrutiny. Belgium crashed the boards with seven offensive rebounds in the opening period, a statistic that helped keep the score tight. Spain struggled from beyond the arc, converting only a fraction of their attempts in the first quarter and finding themselves trailing at various points when the Belgian defense ramped up the pressure.
Lorenzo Brown got off to a solid start for Spain, coordinating the attack from the guard position as the Spanish trio tried to counter a Belgium squad prepared to seize second chances. Belgium countered with timely triples that swung momentum in their favor and briefly moved the score to a one-possession game.
When Spain appeared to lose pace, Belgium extended their advantage through extra possessions and a relentless effort. Usman Garuba chipped in with a timely steal, energizing the defense and helping Spain bounce back as the quarter closed with a more manageable gap at the end of the frame.
The Spaniards then unsettled the crowd with a strong stretch that featured long offensive possessions and disciplined defense, giving their supporters reason to believe they could turn the tide. Jaime Fernández played with a clear understanding of how to respond to Lorenzo Brown and Alberto Díaz as they dictated tempo and positioning, while Darío Brizuela added his usual flair and scoring touch.
Spain managed a 15-0 run that stretched into the second quarter, creating a significant window of advantage. Gillet’s free-throw recovery briefly interrupted this momentum, but the squad regrouped and continued their work. Belgium answered with a composed push, and Lecomte stepped up as a key orchestrator, guiding his teammates through the relentless pressure of the Spaniards. The halftime score left Spain with a narrow lead, signaling that the match would be decided in a tight, competitive second half.
The first half closed with Belgium keeping the pressure high. Lecomte topped Belgium’s scoring alongside a pair of productive inside moves from Bako and accurate contributions from Gillet. Willy Hernangómez delivered a bold, aggressive play that brought Spain to the locker room with a slender advantage, yet questions remained about the team’s consistency in defense and transition play.
Entering the third period, the dynamic stayed fluid. Lecomte managed the Belgian attack with calm and control, while Spain continued to rely on a mix of interior play and perimeter shooting. The Spanish defense had to withstand a series of extended Belgian possessions, and the rotation required by Scariolo’s system began to show wear as the minutes accumulated. It was clear that the biggest challenge was maintaining focus against a Belgium squad that looked comfortable executing in the late stages of the game.
Juancho Hernangómez contributed from the perimeter, lifting Spain with a timely three that restored a slim margin. Yet Belgium’s cohesion persisted as Vanwijn, Mwema, and Lecomte kept trading scores and short leads, narrowing the gap at the end of the third period. The Spaniards faced a crucial moment as the final quarter began, needing to safeguard the ball and limit easy points for the Belgians.
The last period unfolded with intensified tension. Jonathan Tabu and Obasohan struck from deep to lift Belgium into a small lead, and Spain answered with baskets from López-Arostegui and Lorenzo Brown to regain control. The game evolved into a tense, edge-of-seat affair, with neither team able to gain a decisive margin for several minutes. The Belgians found rhythm in the closing minutes, and their defense clamped down on Spain’s attack, frustrating several late efforts and turning key possessions into scores for Belgium.
Belgium closed the game by exploiting defensive gaps and capitalizing on Spain’s mistakes. Lecomte, in particular, delivered big moments, combining with Gillet and Obasohan to push the lead and seal the result. In the final tally, Belgium emerged victorious 83-73, signaling a need for Spain to retool quickly as the group schedule continues.
Data sheet:
73 – Spain (11+22+21+19): Brown 11, Parra 3, Juancho Hernangómez 11, López-Arostegui 7, Willy Hernangómez 18, Rudy Fernández 2, Pradilla 3, Garuba 6, Jaime Fernández 5, Diaz 1, Brizuela 6.
83 – Belgium (15+17+25+26): Lecomte 20, Bako 10, Gillet 14, Obasohan 11, Vanwijn 8, Bleijenbergh 3, De Zeeuw 2, Libert 2, Mwema 6, Taboo 6, Grave 1.
referees: Saverio Lanzarini, Dariusz Zapolski, Erez Gurion.
The match, played on the third day of Eurobasket Group A, occurred in front of approximately 1000 spectators at the Tbilisi Arena in Tbilisi.