MADRID, 20 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish male basketball coach, Sergio Scariolo, has lamented “the difference in experience and physicality” of his pupils regarding the selection of Latvia, rebuilding the lettic triumph by 83-66 in his duel of day 5 in the fourth Round within the qualifying phase for the next Eurobasket.
Scariolo’s pupils lost at the Xiaomi Arena the first of their two games of this last ‘window’ classification.
“Actually the difference in experience and physicalness between the two teams has been seen. We have started well, little by little they have used it more and more and we have had to help a lot inside, they have found many good shots on the outside, we They have forced losses that have become counterattack and obviously at this time there is a lot of difference between the two teams, “said Scariolo this Thursday at a press conference from the Xiaomi Arena de Riga.
“But we have also seen good things, we have seen many moments where we have moved the ball well, many moments in which we have demonstrated personality, also in which we have been able to defend with intelligence, we have bouncing quite well and we have attacked the painting well, given The physical difference between the two teams, “he said.
He then admitted that “obviously the percentage of three above all has been very low” and that “that, together with the losses and the counterattacks they have put after loss, has really been a very high mountain by climbing.” “But well, I take a lot of positive conclusions of the party and we will certainly also compete the next one,” he alluded to the next Sunday for the ‘family’ against Belgium.
In addition, he praised Rodions Kurucs. “He has played an incredible game. We have done everything possible to cover each area, but he has had a high level, we thought we were resilient and tried to stay in the game and resist his superior physicality, but obviously he did not help us that one of our most athletic players could not play because after two minutes he had to leave, “he referred to the power forward Izan Almansa.
“He felt sick. He started the game because it is one of our main hopes for the future. He had not had good morning and I want to thank him for his commitment. He made a long trip from Australia, with the time lag … That probably also contributed to his situation Physics, “he explained about Almansa’s gastric problems.
“We thought he had surpassed it, but unfortunately when the game began he felt that he could not continue. I hope he is ready for Sunday’s game. To give a little meaning to his crazy trip from Australia to Europe and the return,” he added Scariolo about Almansa.
Even so, he stressed having “given time and minutes” to younger players. “We have had some good minutes of good game. In fact, when we have played as a team, we have been better and surprisingly we have won the rebound. We have a base on which we can build. So we will continue and we will try to be ready for the Sunday’s game, “he repeated about the meeting against Belgium.
Meanwhile, he praised his compatriot Banchi. “I can only say good things about Luca. He is a very good coach, very ethical and a professional in a very serious person. We have obviously had many possibilities to play one against each other; with different results, but always sports. It has always been a difficult competition , He is a difficult competitor.
Similarly, he had praise towards Davis Bertans and Marcis Steinbergs. “I think we could have done a better job [ante ellos]. But sometimes we have made mistakes, they have made very easy shots and have many good pitchers. They basically played with five three -point shooters on the track at the same time, “he said.
“This is not easy to preserve the ‘paint’ of huge threats of shooting,” said Scariolo before pointing out that the letters “were good to pass the ball on the outside and find open shots.” “Honestly, our goal was a bit short from what I have said, there were surely some mistakes on our side that should be corrected,” he admitted.
Finally, he was quiet for the future. “This game does not change anything at all. We only put a little more experience in the brain and in the bodies of our young team. And we continue, that’s all,” concluded the Italian coach of the Spanish team.