World Cup Basketball: Boomers lose to Spain in semifinal
The Boomers are struggling to come to terms with their semi-final loss to Spain at the basketball World Cup, with assistant coach Luc Longley admitting 'I feel like I’ve been stabbed in the heart.'
Matt Logue
3 min read
September 14, 2019 - 9:08AM
Patty Mills sparked the Boomers on the offensive end.
The Boomers blow a golden opportunity to make the basketball World Cup final after Spain ended their hopes with a devastating 95-88 double overtime win in Friday’s semi-final.
The Boomers now face a re-match against France in Sunday's bronze medal game after the French lost to Argentina in their semi-final.
The Boomers led by as many as 11 points late in the third quarter but they couldn’t execute in the big moments as the Spanish came back to haunt the Aussies after denying them a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Like Rio with a tough charge call on Patty Mills, a controversial foul call on Andrew Bogut in the final seconds of regular time didn’t help the Boomers.
The Australian players were so shattered after the game that they didn’t leave the sheds to speak to the media.
The squad sat in silence as they came to terms with a match that they should have won.
Patty Mills sparked the Boomers on the offensive end.
Boomers assistant coach Luc Longley was the only Australian official to emerge from the team’s dressing room.
Longley has been a part of every fourth-placed finish for Australia, so he fully understands the pain the current players are experiencing.
“It is gut wrenching for the guys,” Longley said.
“They are all furious and crushed.
“I felt like they deserved to win that game but we cost ourselves the game in a lot of ways.
“It is just devastating and I feel like I’ve been stabbed in the heart.
The Boomers need to pick themselves up for another big game.
“I also feel like déjà vu from Rio of being in this cross-over game and somehow we end up in this situation.
“We’ve got to find an alter somewhere and burn it because the basketball gods are not kissing us on the dick like they do Spain.”
Boomers big man Nick Kay, who had an impressive 16 points and 11 rebounds, is confident his side can respond against France.
“We came here for gold and the way the boys played definitely represented that, but the World Cup isn’t over and we still have a chance to win our first medal,” Kay said.
Nick Kay tries to breach the Spanish defence. Picture: AFP
“This will be a great opportunity to see how the group responds to a little bit of adversity.
“We’ve got a lot of guys in that locker room who have been through this a lot and we are going to come out in the last game and fight.”
Australia face France from 6pm (EST) on Sunday.
Australia couldn’t contain a formidable Spanish side down the stretch led by NBA stars Juancho Hernangomez, Marc Gasol and Ricky Rubio.
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Patty Mills top-scored with 34 points to continue his sublime form.
Mills’ strong performance only enhanced his chances of being named the World Cup MVP.
Although he will kick himself after missing a crucial free-throw in the final seconds of regular time that would have won the Boomers the match.
Bogut was also enormous for Australia with 12 points and 9 rebounds.
Aron Baynes enjoyed that basket. Picture: AFP
GAZE'S ROLLERCOASTER
Boomers legend Andrew Gaze sat with News Corp Australia to watch the match.
Gaze finished fourth as an Australian player at three Olympic Games in 1988, 1996 and 2000, so he appreciates the determination driving the current crop to create history.
In typical ‘Gazey’ fashion, he rode every possession with all the energy, enthusiasm and frustration that we’ve come to love from the Melbourne Tigers great.
Gaze was devastated at full-time to see the Boomers come so close yet lose another big game on the world stage.
“Of course we will be disappointed not to win the gold but that is just the expectations of this team,” Gaze said.
Basketball greats Kobe Bryant (centre) and Manu Ginobili (left) watch the match from courtside. Picture: AFP
“It would still be a remarkable achievement even if we win a bronze medal.
“But basketball in Australia doesn’t sell the sport like we should.
“The popularity and the significance of the sport globally is huge and our country needs to understand that.
“Hopefully the message and the recognition starts to get through for what the Boomers and the sport more broadly is achieving.”
Spain had a slender 22-21 lead following a fast and tense first-quarter.
Turnovers proved costly for Australia in the first half.
The Boomers had opportunities to extend their lead but they a lack of concentration on the offensive end denied them this chance.
The Australians rallied in the second quarter on the back of Mills to surge to a 32-24 advantage.
Spain refused to go away but the Boomers held on to lead 37-32 at halftime.
As expected, the Spanish made their run in the third quarter to reduce the Australian’s lead to 4 points with one quarter remaining.
Spain ensured a grandstand finish by taking the Boomers to double overtime before finally breaking the Australians' hearts again.
Updates
Thanks Boomers, you did us proud
Ben Broad
Great response from Aussie hoops fans on social media.
Here's just a teeny-weeny sample.
I’ve seen so many non-hoops fans interested and tweeting about this game. Hardcore footy people watching the #GoBoomers instead of #AFLCatsEagles – this is how far hoops has come in Australia. Bronze medal on offer still. Bring it home! #FIBAWC
