Brazil lost to Spain 67-66 on Thursday, surrendering their Group A top spot in the preliminary round of the FIBA women's basketball World Championship, which is taking place in Sao Paulo.

Brazil committed several turnovers throughout, and the Spaniards led the first quarter 24-21.

Brazilians stroke back and managed to tie the game 40-40 by the end of the second quarter.

Spain forward Amaya Valdemoro, who got injured in the match against Argentina on Wednesday, seemed to be completely recovered and finished the game with 11 rebounds.

Other Spanish players also had remarkable performances back from the interval, as guard Elisa Aguilar hit four of six shots and forward Laia Palau scored two shots from the arc, but the third quarter closed with Brazil still leading.

The Spanish squad tied the game again in the beginning of the last quarter, with Aguilar's three-pointer. Then, a scoring race took place, intercalating shots by Brazil center Kelly Santos and Spain Valdemoro to keep the deadlock.

Then, Spain sprinted to lead at 66-60, until Brazil guard Helen Luz and forward Janeth Arcain scored three points each. With 15 seconds to go, Luz fouled Palau who scored the winner that ruined Brazil's intentions to rank first in the group, as Argentineans beat South Korea 73-64 earlier on Thursday.

Source: Xinhua