POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Amaya Valdemoro
Spain - Fiji 113:42
Spanish National team opened their Olympic Qualifying campaign with a cruising win over Fiji. The teams got into Pool C together with the world's 4th rank Brazil. Two best teams from the Pool advance to the quarterfinal stage and the winners of the quarterfinals go to Beijing. The event took place in Madrid and the home crowd supported Spain well. Fiji however managed to surprise their opponents as Valerie Nainima (165-G-86) nailed a trey to give the Oceania side a 3:0 lead early in the game. Spain reacted with a 19:0 run fueled by 11 points from Amaya Valdemoro (184-F-76). Fiji finally got their seconds basket as Valerie Nainima nailed a jumper but Spanish side was merciless. Amaya Valdemoro completed her first period 17-point tally and the hosts led by 33:9 after the starting frame. Valerie Nainima remained the only scorer for Fiji in the second period as she dropped 3 points, while Spain accumulated a massive 60:12 lead at halftime.
Spanish side loosened their defensive grip in the third frame allowing Valerie Nainima to get things going a bit smoother for Fiji. A 22-year-old guard of Long Island University accounted for 6 points in the third stanza but the visitors entered the final frame trailing by as many as 65 points. Robanakadavu and Valerie Nainima scored 5 straight points for Fiji early in the fourth term to sweeten the pill. However Cindy Lima (192-C-81) and Amaya Valdemoro kept on cruising past Fiji defense piling up impressive stat digits. Spain breezed to a stunning victory at the end getting their campaign started in style. Amaya Valdemoro led all scorers with 24 points. Cindy Lima provided 17 points, while Alba Torrens (184-F-89) had 16 for the winners. Valerie Nainima came up with 23 points for Fiji. Letava Whippy was the next scorer with just 7 points in defeat. Spain forced Fiji to massive 35 turnovers and outrebounded their opponents 50:24. Fiji will face Brazil tomorrow.
Spain: Amaya Valdemoro 24, Cindy Lima 17, Alba Torrens 16
Fiji: Valerie Nainima 23, Letava Whippy 7
Queens add Whippy to their roster
