Just one more step to reach the summit of Olympus. One more rung to embrace the gods of basketball again. One more opponent to defeat to secure eternal glory in Athens, Greece. Only Belgium stands between Spain and their fifth all-time gold medal at the EuroBasket this Sunday (19:30, La 1). Regardless of the outcome, this will be Spain’s 12th continental medal (with two silvers and five bronzes completing the tally). Among the active nations, aside from the Soviet Union’s 22 and Czechoslovakia’s 15, only France—who also fights for bronze against Italy today (16:30)—shares this dozen.
“I ask that we stay true to ourselves. Ambition, and not settling for what we’ve achieved,” Miguel Méndez urged his players ahead of a final with a revenge narrative. In the last two encounters between these sides, the coin has always fallen in Belgium’s favor. Close battles in 2023—the EuroBasket final in Ljubljana, Slovenia (58-64)—and in 2024, during the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics (66-79). Losses inflicted by Belgium’s golden generation, anchored by the consistent quintet of Julie Vanloo, Julie Allemand (replaced by Elise Ramette in France), Antonia Delaere, Emma Meesseman, and Kyara Linskens, which earned the “Cats” their first continental gold.
That squad continues to instill fear in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, boasting the best defense (conceding just 57.6 points per game), the fourth-best offense (77.8), and leading in rebounds (44) and assists (24.2)—averaging over 20 assists in each of their five matches en route to their second consecutive European final.
Spain as a Team
On the other side is a Spain undergoing a generational shift. A transformed national team, almost unrecognizable compared to the one that came within four minutes of climbing to the top at the Stozice Arena in Slovenia two years ago. Only Alba Torrens, Paula Ginzo, and Raquel Carrera remain from that experience, leading a young squad (six players are 25 or younger) and inexperienced at this level: five internationals (Ayuso, Buenavida, Fam, Martín, and Pueyo) made their tournament debut, while three (Araújo, Etxarri, and Ortiz) are debuting in a continental championship.
The team was hit hard by Iyana Martín’s infectious colitis. The point guard was temporarily released from the hospital and visited her teammates during yesterday’s practice, but she will miss the final. Aina Ayuso suffered an ankle sprain against France but managed to finish the semifinals, and Helena Pueyo appears fully recovered from her back troubles. As María Araújo noted, “In a final, everything hurts, but we’ll give what’s left.”
A national team without major superstars, but carrying the strength of the group as its banner. Solidarity. Collectiveness. And above all, joy—a contagious happiness that Méndez doesn’t want to restrain. “The captain (Alba Torrens) says destiny is written and something good is going to happen. And if she, who is half-crazy, says it, then we have to follow her,” said Andrea Vilaró. So let’s dream.
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