Spain fell to Belgium (65-67) in the Eurobasket final in Athens, collapsing in the cruelest possible fashion — in the final seconds, when victory was within reach. With a 65-64 lead, the Spanish side successfully navigated Belgium’s pressure and seemed poised to claim gold. But fate had other plans: a poor pass from Ortiz to Torrens was intercepted by Delaere, who sprinted the length of the floor to put Belgium ahead 65-66. Carrera was then fouled, and the Belgian team sealed the win from the free-throw line.
It was a devastating blow, unfair to a unique group — a team of exceptional players united in an impossible mission that they nearly touched with their fingertips. With three minutes remaining, Spain led by 12 points (65-53). Only Belgium and their lethal starting five — who scored 65 of their 67 points — managed to halt this collective effort elevated to art, undone by that single mistake. Belgium closed the game on a 14-0 run, leaving Spain completely drained. Meesseman was named MVP with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals, earning a 24 efficiency rating.
This was a Spanish team defined by solidarity, joy, and smiles that had overwhelmed their opponents in Hamburg. They walked a tightrope to eliminate the rebellious Czechs, and they wept until French player Rupert’s shot bounced into Etxarri’s hands. This silver — the fifth in Spain’s history and the 12th continental medal — came because coach Miguel Méndez decided to unleash his players, granting them total freedom, and they responded with that “Spanish Style,” turning a different player into a hero each night, with someone always stepping up to lead.
Yet the constant thread was Alba Torrens, the great captain, who consoled her teammates one by one. The legend of Spanish basketball, now earning her sixth European medal, became the seventh all-time leading scorer in Eurobasket history. Alongside her, the roar of Awa Fam and the effort of Raquel Carrera to make it in time. The courage of Aina Ayuso and Helena Pueyo. The fearlessness of Elena Buenavida and Iyana Martín, who missed the knockout rounds due to illness. Paula Ginzo’s tears said it all as Belgium celebrated. Cursed fate, how cruel a hand you dealt.
The game had its rhythms, but the first ten minutes of the final were suffocating. Neither Spain nor Belgium gave an inch. Every attack was a relentless motion of bodies and ball, every defense a stranglehold. Much sweat, but the Spanish side showed no fear. Méndez’s squad entered firm and serious. Torrens orchestrated the early moves with Fam by her side. Meesseman, always Meesseman, responded with steals and fast-break buckets. Her 8 points off turnovers compensated for Belgium’s poor three-point shooting (2 of 9; 3 of 15 at halftime, with Vanloo 0 of 6). Spain capitalized on their inside game — Fam and Carrera combined for 11 points to close the first quarter 19-18.
In the second quarter, Ginzo had her moment. In the 2023 final she also came alive against Belgium. This time she scored 9 points in 8 minutes, including a three-pointer, pushing the lead to 8 (30-22, min. 16) after a 9-0 run. Buenavida kept appearing from nowhere to disrupt opponents. Allemand struck from outside, Linskens inside. The Belgian starters scored the last 6 points before halftime, leaving the score at 37-31. Both teams showed dominant interior play: Spain’s frontcourt tallied 14 points.
