By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
Chus Mateo’s era started perfectly for Spain.
La Familia achieved a perfect start to the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers after dominating Georgia 94–61, jumping to a 2–0 record.
Santi Yusta finished the game as the hosts’ top scorer with 17 points, but Izan Almansa was Spain’s best overall performer, as the Real Madrid player ended with 12 points and 9 rebounds.
Mate Khatiashvili and Toko Shengelia (10 points each) were the only Georgian players to score in double figures.
Despite a strong start from the visitors, who led 20–11 after the first quarter, the rest of the game was one-sided.
Spain took control in the second quarter and reached halftime with a comfortable 47–33 lead.
As the minutes went by, the home advantage kept growing (83–50), allowing the fans in Tenerife to enjoy an easy win in what was the farewell of a local hero: Giorgi Shermadini, who retired from the Georgian national team.