Spain Advances as Group Leader Despite First Loss, 91-89

Nothing suggested that after a 10-30 start or a +22 lead in the third quarter, Spain wouldn't achieve a perfect record in this first phase. But a proud Georgia team and an exceptional player like Toko Shengelia prevented Chus Mateo's squad from going 6-0. Still, #LaFamilia advances as Group I leaders with the head-to-head tiebreaker over both Ukraine and Georgia.

Spain will enter the second phase of this FIBA World Cup 2023 qualifying tournament with a 5-1 record that puts them in a strong position to secure a spot at next summer's World Cup in Qatar. In Tbilisi, Chus Mateo's team delivered a spectacular opening and maintained a comfortable lead through the middle of the third quarter. But Georgia's comeback in the final 15 minutes prevented Spain from going undefeated.

The game started with a layup from Willy Hernangómez near the basket, followed by a three-pointer off the glass from Hugo González that made it 0-7. Georgia showed signs of their poor form (they had lost decisively to Ukraine) while Spain continued their positive momentum from their last five games. Hugo dove behind the advertising boards to save a ball and allowed Álvaro Cárdenas to make it 5-15 and extend the lead to +10. Spain was in the bonus, and with free throws and a basket from Pradilla on an offensive rebound, they pushed it to +20 (10-30).

While the first quarter confirmed Chus Mateo's team's offensive arsenal with 32 points, the second quarter was about controlling and managing the lead. Georgia showed their pride and Toko Shengelia dominated the ball to cut into the deficit. At 24-38, Chus Mateo called a timeout to stop the momentum shift. Georgia was scoring easily and Spain's shooting percentage dropped, though offensive rebounds (up to 10 before halftime) and a dunk from Willy at the buzzer left the score at 38-52.

Georgia's comeback continued into the third quarter. Spain came out intense and with a 4-12 run went back over 20 points ahead (42-64) with Álvaro Cárdenas diving to steal the ball from Marcquise Reed, another Georgian star. Willy, at his own pace, was scoring easily and had 17 points and 7 rebounds without a miss in just 17 minutes. It was the quietest quarter offensively (fatigue was already showing) but the game remained dominated by Chus Mateo's team despite Toko Shengelia's effort. A 5-0 run for Georgia in the final minute made it 57-71.

Georgia knew that the start of the fourth quarter was key to getting back into the game. And they managed to make it 65-75 with six minutes left, energizing the arena. Mateo brought Willy Hernangómez back on court, pairing him inside with Jaime Pradilla. The momentum was with Georgia and everything was falling their way, like Reed's and-one or Shengelia's reverse layup that made it 76-79. Chus Mateo's second timeout in less than three minutes, and a crucial basket from Álvaro Cárdenas driving down the left side. Reed tied the game and Shengelia put Georgia ahead, but Jaime Pradilla tied it back up (83-83) and Almansa blocked the final shot of regulation.

Overtime started with another basket from Cárdenas and a three-pointer from Hugo from the corner, combined with solid defense on the two key opponents. But six straight points from Shengelia made it 89-88. Then came a free throw from Pradilla and a basket from Marcquise Reed that made it 91-89. Álvaro Cárdenas' three-pointer, well-executed, didn't fall, and Spain's undefeated record in these qualifying windows came to an end.