RIO DE JANEIRO – After dealing with the media in the underground mix-zone reserved for post-game interviews the excitement of Alba Torrens and veteran guard Laia Palau could no longer be contained. The two went off running down the hall jumping and screaming for joy into the Spain locker room celebrating their 68-54 win over Serbia which moved them into the 2016 Rio Olympic Women’s Basketball gold medal game against the undefeated USA on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
It wasn’t just another Euro game for both Spain and Serbia as the winner went into the Gold Medal finals for the first time. Both teams know each other quite well. Spain, the 2013 FIBA Eurobasket champions beat Serbia (2015 Eurobasket winners) in bracket play 91-80 and again in the first game of Pool B play 65-59 in Rio. For Spain, the third time was the charm.
Spain dominated from the start, getting out to a 20-9 first quarter lead as 6-3 Serbian star and team leading scorer (16ppg.) Jelena Milovanovic picked up two quick fouls and went to the bench, taking Serbia off their game.
“We played a great game against Australia but we were not ready to play the same game today,” said Milovanovic who scored only 10 points in 23 minutes. “We made mistakes, It was our faults, but we didn’t deserve to lose by this much. This time they started more aggressively that the last game with these fouls it took us off our rhythm.”
Serbia didn’t help its self in the first quarter shooting 3 for 15 from the field but was able to close the deficit to four twice in the second quarter before Spain pulled away in the third quarter and into the gold medal final.
“We keep losing to Spain,” said Milovanovic. “We never beat them since I am was playing for our Serbian national team. We still owe them. Maybe next year in the Euro championship or World Championship, even the Olympics.”
Spain defeats Serbia to advance to the 2016 Rio Olympics Women’s Basketball gild medal final vs. the United States
It was Torrens who put this win in perspective.
“I am so proud, so lucky to be in this moment,” exclaimed Torrens who finished with a game high 14 point along with 6-3 center Astou Ndour. “In 2012 it was a tough moment for us (not making the Olympics in London). After that this team came up and we won the EuroBasket (2013) and won the Silver medal at the World Championship. (2014).”
“Right now we are waiting for the rival for the final,” continued Torrens. “In the semifinal that’s about to play the favorite is the USA. Not just the semifinal but the favorite to win the gold is the USA. I am not saying that, they’re showing it. They have the best game this year. We did one thing in this tournament – fight and in the finals we will fight.”
