Mariona Ortiz spent only eleven minutes on court, contributing 2 points, one rebound, 2 assists and one steal to finish with 8 efficiency rating points. This was the Casademont Zaragoza captain's shortest appearance of the tournament, mainly because of Alicia Flórez's outstanding performance, while Cazorla and Iyana are Méndez's starters.
Mariona played eleven minutes and recorded an efficiency rating of 8. Photo: FIBA
The game was largely decided from the outset, with Spain dominating an Australian side that was affected by its absences from the very beginning. The 17-31 score in the first quarter already gave the national team an advantage it never surrendered as it returned to the medal hunt for the fourth time in history.
UNITED STATES, THE TEAM TO BEAT
Once the groups were drawn, predictions suggested that, if Spain reached the semifinals, it would face the team nobody wants to meet: the United States. The Americans have not lost throughout the tournament and come off a 108-56 quarterfinal rout of Hungary. They are the clear favorites to lift the trophy.
The game will be played this Saturday at 20:00 in Berlin and will be one of the most important in Spain's history, both because of the opponent and the prize at stake if they win.
On the other side of the bracket, another of the favorites, France, will face hosts Germany. France arrive after destroying China 61-90, while Germany defeated the reigning European champions, Belgium, 74-93. Germany are the only team to reach the semifinals without having topped their group.
