She was the story before the game… and remained so at its conclusion. Iyana Martín scored 18 points (11 of them in the fourth quarter) to give Spain its first victory in the qualifying phase for EuroBasket 2027 at the Palacio de los Deportes in Oviedo, a venue devoted to the local star.
The road to qualification for the 2027 Women's EuroBasket in Belgium, Finland, Sweden, and Lithuania was underway, and at stake was the first victory against what was possibly the strongest opponent in Group J, where Spain is placed.
The game began with a minute of silence for Juan José Rodríguez, a police sergeant who died that same morning just a few kilometers from the Palacio de los Deportes in Oviedo. Sad news that did not prevent the more than 4,500 fans who nearly filled the venue from enjoying the world-medal-winning national team led by local star Iyana Martín, who received the gold insignia of the Basketball Federation of the Principality of Asturias during halftime.
Miguel Méndez started the game with Iyana Martín, Maite Cazorla, Helena Pueyo, Paula Ginzo, and Raquel Carrera, with the Palacio de los Deportes practically full and devoted to the local star. Both teams showed accuracy in their early possessions (7-8 at the 3-minute mark) and the Czech Republic was very serious, with talent in the starting five and a defense that shifted to zone, causing problems for Spain's offense. Spain's first substitutions slowed the Czech scoring pace with more intense defense and a 9-0 run that put the score at 20-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Czech Republic returned to its initial approach, with the danger of its perimeter players. A corner three-pointer from Holesinka made it 26-22 and prompted Miguel Méndez to call timeout at the three-minute mark of the second quarter. Iyana committed uncharacteristic errors, but reasonable ones given the over-stimulation of the game. Raquel Carrera hurt the zone defense and Andrea Vilaró brought intensity on defense to prevent the Czech Republic from regaining control of the scoreboard (33-30). Additionally, Iyana scored five consecutive points that freed her from tension and got the Palacio on its feet. At halftime, a 43-36 score that left the game wide open.
Victory was not yet secured and Miguel Méndez pressed from the bench to avoid letdowns. The Czech Republic clung to the game, even with a three-pointer from the half-court logo in the final second of possession (50-45). Accuracy from beyond the arc was lacking, and Spain returned the favor with a no-look assist from María Araújo for a Paula Ginzo basket. Helena Pueyo scored her second three-pointer in this third quarter, but to each Spanish run the Czechs responded with the Malikova-Holesinka duo. A weak third quarter, with only 14 points scored by the Spanish team and it closed tied at 53.
Ten minutes remained and the first victory of this EuroBasket 2027 Women's qualifying phase was at stake. The Czech Republic took the lead after many minutes (57-59) and with five consecutive points from Holesinka achieved the largest lead (59-64) with seven minutes remaining. An important moment in which the Czechs showed 'cold blood' to hurt, while Spain sought the 'hot blood' of Iyana to add a corner three-pointer (66-67) and survive the first match point. The second came with four minutes left, down four (67-71) and with the team blocked on offense again. Four more points from Iyana Martín and a basket from María Araújo made it 73-71, giving a happy ending to a very complicated game.