MADRID, 15 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish basketball coach, Sergio Scariolo, has been happy with the mathematical classification for the 2023 World Cup, which they have celebrated with a win against the Netherlands (84-72), and has ensured that the team has “given so much to Spanish basketball ” that they can face the competitions “without the anxiety of having to get a medal.
“Now people have realized that we have a collective advantage because of the competitiveness of these players, because of their heart, their character and their tactical intelligence. The rankings do not matter. We have already given so much to Spanish basketball that we can face competitions without the anxiety of having to get a medal yes or yes Our only anxiety should be to show up, compete, that the effort and cohesion of the players is maximum, that the players are comfortable and happy to defend our shirt “He declared at a press conference.
Now, they will return to a World Cup to defend their title achieved in 2019. “The World Championship is going to be a tremendous competition of level and rivals. We have to be intelligent and make decisions that can be complicated or forced. When the time comes, we will try to prepare well and compete. We have a good base, we have to continue in our generational change, which is what worries us the most, but the idea is always the same: to continue competing”, he stressed.
“We have to keep showing our faces and have a clear idea of what has to happen after the Olympics. We have to find continuity, pride, image and team identity for this to be consolidated. We have to be very humble, but also a lot of awareness of our limitations, but without any arrogance; if we lose humility, we are doomed to failure,” he continued.
In another order of things, the Italian coach assured that he “does not” consider it “necessary” to completely change the call in the February ‘window’ despite having the classification assured. “Some of these may repeat or not. It is too soon to talk about February, but I do not foresee major changes in the philosophy of the calls,” he said.
“We have a group of players who should feel proud to wear this shirt. They have had a very important reward; they are not obliged to be there, but if they want to participate, they have earned the right to be there. We are very open to those who They can go proposing, with the priority of those who come out of our lower categories,” he said.
Nor did he avoid the issue of the ‘windows’ and the conflicts with the Euroleague. “Seeing the panorama, of complaints, of excuses, of people who do not give permission… I am proud to have made the good decision. When you make the best decision, many times the facts reward you even beyond what you might think. It is possible to dialogue between the parties, coordinate calendars and efforts; it is proof that with a little goodwill things can be done. Now it is time for a test of greater will,” he said.