Spain Dominates Iceland in World Cup Qualifiers Opener
This game showcased a strong win for the Spanish basketball team against Iceland with an 87-57 score on the first day of the second qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup. Just one week before Eurobasket, Willy Hernangómez led the charges with 19 points, lifting the team and applying pressure through his experience and skill to overwhelm the Icelanders.
Sergio Scariolo’s squad approached the match with a clear mandate to secure a victory and break the three-way tie they shared with Italy and Iceland. With three wins and one defeat, the team needed to win to erase doubts after a recent setback against Lithuania and to keep Eurobasket preparations on track.
Navarra Arena opened its doors for a national team game, marking a return to the venue after a long absence and rekindling the energy of a multi-purpose arena that drew a crowd ready to witness the squad in action.
The best of the night in Pamplona
The social media post highlighted the standout performers including Willy Hernangómez, Zoran Brown, and Sebas Saiz as part of the team’s celebration of togetherness and ambition. The message underscored the unity and identity of a squad that calls itself a family and embraces the Mode Europe era, reinforcing their collective goal to act as a cohesive unit on the continental stage.
Early action began with Iceland presenting a weaker defensive setup, allowing Spain to jump out to a quick 7 points in the opening stretch. Fridriksson kept his team competitive by connecting from the perimeter and moving the ball with precision. His first nine points came from outside shots and decisive ball movement.
Spain started with Hernangómez as one of the most visible faces of the starting five. The Madrid native carried the load on both ends, pressuring the ball and contributing on offense and defense. He became the top scorer for the Spanish side with 10 points in the first period as the arena roared when Llull and Rudy Fernandez entered the floor and added their veteran presence to the lineup.
Fourteen years later, Rudy Fernandez’s return to the floor drew a roar from the crowd as the veteran guard demonstrated that experience can still tilt the game in favor of his team. The performance reflected the depth and balance in Spain’s roster on this night at Navarra Arena, where the home team set the tempo and controlled the pace in the opening half.
From that moment, the Spanish defense stabilized and began to punish the Icelandic approach with disciplined ball movement and strong interior play. With five minutes remaining in the half, Spain enjoyed a commanding +19 advantage, a clear signal of the momentum they were building. Pradilla showcased smart positioning inside, delivering a solid performance that complemented the scoring from the wings and the outside shots that defined the half’s rhythm. The team’s interior strength and relentless pace underscored the night’s dominant tone, even as the shooting line from beyond the arc showed room for improvement with a 3-for-11 mark from long range.
Juancho Hernangómez faced initial struggles in recording his contributions, but a brilliant sequence involving Brizuela created a vivid moment when a crafty alley-oop pass found the younger Hernangómez brother finishing at the rim. Meanwhile, Nuñez had recently arrived from Germany, aiming to accumulate minutes and experience as he prepared for his first major tournament with Spain.
As the third quarter unfolded, Iceland’s uncertainty intensified and Spain extended the margin. Jaime Fernández gained confidence by knocking down difficult shots, illustrating the team’s growing conviction as the minutes ticked away.
From the bench or the court, each player contributed. Pradilla and the supporting cast continued to show versatility, and the defense remained a constant force, stifling Icelanders while the offense found efficient ways to convert possessions into points. The game underscored Spain’s depth and readiness for the higher level of competition they would encounter in Eurobasket and beyond.
Scariolo’s system was tested in Pamplona, and the result suggested that the team’s cohesion and preparation were paying off. The squad completed the night with a sense of confidence and a sign that they were ready to confront tougher challenges on the horizon, including the forthcoming Eurobasket and the remaining World Cup qualifiers.
Data sheet:
87 – Spain (26+25+36+XX): Brown (4), Pradilla (14), Jaime Fernández (7), Juancho Hernangómez (7), Willy Hernangómez (19) -top five-, Rudy (13), Brizuela (9), Saiz (11), Garuba (2), Llull (-), Nuñez (-), Guerra (1).
57 – Iceland (15+13+17+12): Fridriksson (14), Vihjalmsson (-), Steinarsson (5), Palsson (7), Hlisaon (6) -starting five-, Steinarsson (5), Thorbjarnarson (8), Jonsson (-), Nathanaelsson (-), Acox (6), Petursson (-), Thrastarson (-), Bjornsson (11).
Events: The match of the first day of the second qualifying stage of the 2023 World Cup was played at Navarra Arena in Pamplona.