Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.
Spain find their rhythm after slow start
Spain’s women’s basketball team recovered from a shaky opening to overwhelm Nigeria 83-58 in their second World Cup warm-up match at the Pabellón Santiago Martín in Tenerife. After a first half that left some doubts, the Spanish side returned from the break with a completely different approach – more aggressive in attack and more compact in defence – which proved too much for Nigeria to handle.
Nigeria edge a tight first half
The opening exchanges were evenly contested, but the balance gradually shifted towards the visitors as the first quarter drew to a close. Wani Muganguzi’s charges pulled clear to end the opening ten minutes with a 14-20 lead. Nigeria maintained that advantage throughout the second quarter despite an early Spanish surge, stretching their lead to as many as nine points midway through the period at 23-32.
That proved to be a turning point for Miguel Méndez’s team, who stepped up their attacking play and cut the deficit to just four points, with the score at 32-36 entering the final minute of the half. The game went into the break with that same four-point gap, reading 36-40, thanks in large part to Nigeria’s Macaulay, who finished the opening half in double figures.
Second-half resurgence seals emphatic victory
Spain came out after the interval with intent, inspired by a superb Iyana Martín, and drew level at 44 within the first three minutes of the restart. Mariona Ortiz then put Spain ahead with a three-pointer that made it 49-44, sparking a festival of shots from beyond the arc as they fell one after another. The third quarter closed with a commanding 63-49 scoreline, aided by a significantly improved home defence that limited Nigeria to just nine points in the period, having conceded 20 in each of the previous two quarters.
The final quarter saw more of the same from Méndez’s side, with their three-point shooting continuing to find its mark. The 14-point advantage established in the third quarter grew to as many as 25 with just 4:40 remaining on the clock. Two more consecutive triples sealed a convincing 83-58 victory that left the team feeling positive after their early uncertainties.
Match details
83 – Spain (14+22+27+20): Elena Buenavida (5), Maite Cazorla (3), Helena Pueyo (11), Paula Ginzo (9), Lola Pendande (2) – starting five – Alba Torrens (5), Mariona Ortiz (10), María Araújo (5), Iyana Martín (6), Andrea Vilar (12), Irati Etxarri (4), Nerea Hermosa (2).
58 – Nigeria (20+20+9+9): Efosa (4), Obi (0), Amukamara (8), Musa (9), Macaulay (18) – starting five – Ezike (4), Kunaiyi (4), Ijiwobi (8), Okoro (0), Dauda (0), Igbowke (0), Enabosi (1).
Attendance: Second preparatory match for the 2026 World Cup, played at the Pabellón Santiago Martín in Tenerife.
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