Tensions rise in fiery exchange as Boomers win

Spain and the Boomers have been involved in a heated exchange during the latter’s win in their opening clash at Paris 2024.

Referees called a foul on Spain’s Usman Garuba late in the first term after an illegal screen where he dropped the shoulder on Josh Green.

Garuba and Green then exchanged words before Will Magnay gave the Spaniard a gentle push in the back. Garuba then took exception, pushing Green aggressively.

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A number of Boomers players then ran in before Garuba pushed Josh Giddey as the Spaniard continued to exchange verbal blows.

“They need to be very careful because they can be very whistle happy with the argy-bargy,” Andrew Gaze said on Nine’s coverage.

“It didn’t look like there was a whole lot in it.”

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The referees then reviewed the footage with unsportsmanlike conduct called against Garuba and Magnay.

The Boomers were leading 28-17 at the time and held on for a 31-21 scoreline at the end of the first term.

Spain began to fight back in the second term, trailing only 49-42 at the break.

That period brought about another flash point with two and a half minutes to go when Magnay was flattened by Willy Hernangomez but the Boomers star was judged to have fouled the Spaniard for a block.

“That is ridiculous, that to me is not a block. It’s fundamentally sound … defensively he squared up, he hits him right in the chest and some way or another they’ve called a block,” he said on Nine’s coverage.

“That’s hard to figure out how they’ve come up with a block.”

The third term was even closer, with Spain holding a 56-54 lead at one point thanks to Santi Aldama’s three-point jump shot.

However, the Boomers returned to the lead ahead of the final term at 69-60.

During the last period, Spain kept threatening with the score 75-71 in favour of Australia with five minutes left but it wasn’t enough as the Boomers finished 92-80 winners.

Jock Landale was one of the best with 20 points while Patty Mills finished with 19. Duop Reath was unused by coach Brian Goorjian.

For Spain, Aldama caused the most trouble for the Aussies, scoring 27 points.

Overall, it wasn’t the most polished performance from both sides with Australia conceding 16 turnovers as opposed to Spain’s 13.

Post-game, Mills spoke of his delight to be playing in his fifth Olympics.

“It’s the Olympics, what’s there not to like about this?” he told Nine.

“You’re wearing the colours, you’re playing every position as hard as you can be, you’re in the trenches with a great bunch of blokes.

“For me, this is as good as it gets.

” … From the start of this campaign, it’s always been about us and how we can get better collectively as a group … we’re taking it day by day and we’re getting better.”

The next clash for the Boomers will be against Canada, with Mills admitting the side will need to be near its peak.

“They’re one of the best teams in the world, one through 12 is very elite,” he said.

“They play with a lot of athleticism, a lot of confidence, they had a great World Cup last year.

“We’re going to need to be at our best to be able to beat them.”