Scariolo: “Regardless of victory, we want to take steps forward in building the team”

MADRID, 30 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The men’s national basketball coach, Sergio Scariolo, acknowledged that, although the victory against North Macedonia in the last window of the first qualifying phase for the 2023 World Cup is a “priority”, it is not the “toughest” match , but if they want to “take steps forward in building the team” for the following meetings.

“It may not be the toughest game in the group, obviously, but at an international level there is always a lot of quality. We want, apart from the victory itself, which we must consider as a priority, to take steps forward in building the team to The following matches2, Scariolo analyzed in statements published by the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) collected by Europa Press about the duel against North Macedonia this Friday (7:30 p.m.).

In this first qualifying phase for the 2023 World Cup, Spain is in second position in group G, although with one game less played, and is the only team with a balance without defeats. Both Spain and Georgia have mathematically assured their qualification for the second phase, in which they will face Italy, Iceland and the Netherlands, whose first Window will be played in August.

Thus, Scariolo insisted that the “important” thing is that the fans go to the Príncipe Felipe Pavilion to “enjoy” basketball and “the eternal values” of the national team. “(The values) have to remain very evident and recognizable despite the generational changes,” said the coach.

“It is a tribute from the team to the Zaragoza fans, a historic fan base. It will be a more relaxed situation than when we play for a pass to the quarterfinals in a championship,” he said about Friday’s match against North Macedonia.