Spain faced Lithuania in a midweek pre-EuroBasket tune-up in Gran Canaria, a game that illustrated the physical edge and outside shooting that would challenge the hosts. The Baltic side built an early 16-point gap, relying on a burst of perimeter accuracy, and despite a late push by Spain, the visitors held on to win 82-77 after a tense finish that showcased both teams’ strengths.
Ignas Brazdeikis continued to be a standout for Lithuania with 19 points and five rebounds, benefiting from the inside presence of Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valančiūnas. For Spain, Willy Hernangómez led the reply with 25 points and nine rebounds in a duel that remained competitive despite the result. The Spanish defense found answers off the ball, but the Lithuanian duo’s interior scoring repeatedly gave their team the edge.
After a fast and balanced start, Lithuania set the tone with two quick three-pointers, followed by another flurry from the arc. Rockas Giedraitis opened the proceedings with a three and, in the opening minutes, Sergio Scariolo’s squad had to contend with the mismatch in the Valančiūnas region while the Hernangómez brothers, Juancho and Willy, watched from the bench, which limited Spain’s early momentum.
About the horn
@willyhg94
(Min. 5 | 9-12) @GCARenaOficial @four #ModeEurope #We are a team
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) 16 August 2022
Lithuania dominates the score
As the game progressed, other Lithuanian players stepped forward, with Brazdeikis and Jokubaitis helping to keep Lithuania ahead in the opening minutes. The Italian coach used rotations to manage the load, yet the offense remained productive for the visitors as Sabonis punished the paint to extend the advantage (9-17).
Spain’s coach Scariolo introduced a new rhythm, and Fran Guerra and Sergio Llull provided timely baskets while Dario Brizuela tried to spark a run. However, Sabonis and Valančiūnas continued to control the lane, and Lithuania’s perimeter discipline limited Spain’s shots, which fell to 18 percent by the middle of the first half.
This is how you handle field pressure
@juanchiviris41
(Min. 17 | 25-33) @GCARenaOficial @four #ModeEurope #We are a team
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) 16 August 2022
Spain managed to claw back a bit, reaching a 12-point deficit at 25-37 as Willy Hernangómez pulled down boards and pushed back inside for second chances. Grigonis briefly halted the surge with a triple, but Sebas Saiz answered with a late shot to leave the score at 36-42 at the half.
In the second half, Willy’s influence grew as he reached 20 points midway through the period, tightening the score and energizing Spain. Yet Sabonis answered again, restoring the gap and pushing the teams toward a narrow deficit for the hosts (44-59).
Short circuit in Spain
Nerves rose as Spain pressed, and Scariolo was vocal in his urging as Willy faced a moment of tension with a foul, only to see Usman Garuba ignite a 9-0 run at the end of the third quarter to cut the margin to 57-64.
YES, YES, YES… @Zo_Brown connected the game with four points in a row…
(Min. 36 | 67-68) @GCARenaOficial @four #ModeEurope #Family #We are a team
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) 16 August 2022
As the final period began, both sides traded errors and fouls. Spain tightened up defensively, while Juancho Hernangómez started to find rhythm and Lorenzo Brown added consecutive baskets to tie the game at 66-66 with five minutes remaining. The late push, however, belonged to Lithuania as Valančiūnas and Jokubaitis hit timely baskets, followed by Brazdeikis’ scores that widened the gap to 69-76 in the closing minutes. Scariolo’s group pushed hard, but the finish was decisive for the visitors as Lithuania claimed a tight 77-82 victory, setting up a rematch in Vilnius on Thursday.
Data sheet:
77. Spain (13+23+21+20): Brown (11), Pradilla (2), López-Aróstegui (-), Juancho Hernangómez (14) and Willy Hernangómez (25) -first five-; Fernández (2), Brizuela (7), Colom (1), Sáiz (2), Garuba (6), Llull (5), Guerra (2) and Parra (-).
82. Lithuania (19+23+22+18): Brazdeikis (19), Giedraitis (11), Sabonis (13), Jokubaitis (9) and Valanciunas (10) -first five-; Tarolis (-), Echodas (2), Masiulis (-), Grigonis (11), Lekavicius (4) and Butkevicius (3).
Referees: Francisco Araña, Xavi Torres and Arnau Padrós. Without being destroyed.
Events: The third friendly match of the Spanish basketball team was played in front of 5,647 spectators at Gran Canaria Arena. At halftime, an emotional tribute was paid to former player Albert Oliver by the Professional Basketball Players Association for his long career in the sport.