MADRID, 31 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The forward and captain of the Spanish basketball team, Rudy Fernández, made it clear that “the sensations have to be illusions” in the Eurobasket that starts this Thursday and that, although they do not start out among the favorites and arrive with inexperienced players, these already they have competed “at a very high level” in the ‘FIBA windows’ and are facing their “opportunity to make themselves known” on a big stage.
“The sensations have to be one of illusion. It is true that we are finding the best way to play and to involve all the players, but I see enthusiasm in the team and above all I see the sacrifice that is very necessary when it comes to competing” , expressed Rudy Fernández in the press conference prior to the debut against Bulgaria.
The Balearic made it clear that although they do not arrive with a band of candidates, the current world champion “is always ready to compete”. “The team is ready to fight, no matter how many medals we have, this is another competition, another goal for us,” she warned.
Therefore, the objective is to “compete” and show “attitude”. “There are many players who don’t have this experience, only five have played a Eurobasket and it’s a great opportunity for them to be here. We don’t have pressure, Spain always has to compete for medals, but our goal this year is to compete in every game, on Thursday, continue against Georgia and keep our mentality every game,” the veteran player reiterated.
“I think that everyone on this team knows their role and knows how to sacrifice for the one next to them. Those of us who have played this competition have to take that pressure off the new ones, but they know where they are, they have played ‘windows’ at a very high level and this is his opportunity in a big tournament to make himself known. When the whistle sounds, you have to be one hundred percent and know that the one next to you is going to help us”, added Rudy.
“I BELIEVE IN THIS TEAM”
The captain of the national team also knows of the even greater importance on this occasion of the premiere. “Many times we have been a favorite team and maybe we haven’t started as well as we had to start a tournament, although afterwards they have finished very well. In this situation, from minute 1 we have to focus on game by game because in a Eurobasket the demand is maximum and we cannot sleep, and less in this group, which is all very open”, he stressed.
On a physical level, he acknowledged that his back is “fine”, although he suffers from “other pain”. “I have always said it, I have always tried to be available to the coach and the federation. Being the only veteran will make me try to instill what I have learned from all the players who have passed through the national team,” warned the forward.
“I believe in this team, that’s why I’m here. Each tournament is an illusion to wear this shirt and although maybe this team has little experience, as captain, the only thing I can tell you is to enjoy the opportunity because maybe They can’t come back or I can’t come back. The twelve of us who are here have the ability to grow as a team and in the teams I’m in, fighting, being soldiers, going all together will be in the dynamic for sure” , stressed the Majorcan.
He finally called Bulgaria “a great team”. “He has managed to qualify for the Eurobasket and they have a great reference like Vezenkov, one of the best players this year in the Euroleague, so we will have to be very attentive on defense”, he stated.