There are defeats that do not tarnish a great job

Defeats that despite the pain they contain, with the passage of time, with perspective, are seen with a half smile. It's hard, but it's achieved even if it's incomprehensible. This is the feeling that the Sub-19 Women's Selection should keep after falling to the United States (65-80) in the World Cup in Russia.

Spain fought, with courage and courage, illusion and quality, against the world champions, but could not get the ticket to the final. They will have to console themselves with fighting for the bronze against Australia (this Sunday at 17:00 on Live Basketball).

The ones coached by Mario López took to the court to face, as on the first day, a physical and top-class beast. The Americans had a 100% victories record (5/5) with an average difference of 40.4 points. No one had scored more than 63 points against them. A fearsome resume and it weighed at the beginning. The suffocating pressure, the constant two-on-one from the Yankees (an activity they carried out throughout the game) separated the score (2-10 at the start). But there was no discouragement. An exquisite Quevedo and a fantastic three-pointer from Angela Salvadores materialized a 19-21 that reached 21-21 with a basket from Lo at the start of the second quarter.

That's when the American hammer appeared. In the blink of an eye everything collapsed. 12-23 partial in the second 10 minutes (31-44). Collier gave blows in every attack and the domination on the rebound by the Americans did the rest (18-33 at halftime, 24-45 in the end). Spain couldn't find the gaps. Defense and more defense was what they found in every attack and the open shot, mainly from the perimeter, was the doctor's prescription. It worked at the beginning, not subsequently.

But nobody gave up. Quevedo (17 points in the end) did not surrender, she inspired respect in her rivals and inspired her teammates. Four consecutive points reduced the disadvantage to nine and only the outbursts of Collier (24 points and 14 rebounds) and Wilson (20 and 16) prevented the Selection from getting closer: 50-62 with only 10 minutes left.

The last stretch gave two good news. Salvadores resurrects when you least expect it (finished with 16) and Maria Conde is a beauty in one-on-one situations. The former student took the plunge without fear towards the zone and despite finishing with only five points, her presence on the court was a breath of fresh air against the Yankee lock. With everything finished (58-75), Mario López withdrew his starters and it was the theoretical substitutes who surpassed the 62 points that China gave to the USA, the most they had conceded in Russian territory. This time it was tails, but this Sunday it's heads and hanging a bronze is a great success. No doubt about it.