MADRID, 18 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Spain, the current world and European champion, has ranked, for the first time, as number one in the FIBA world rankings ahead of the United States, after their last two victories in the fifth ‘window’ of qualifying for the World Cup and the defeat of the North American team against Brazil last week.
Spain was proclaimed champion of the World in 2019 in Beijing and of Europe, last summer in Berlin. In addition, they have qualified for the 2023 World Cup, with a balance of 9 games won in 10 games.
After the November window, Spain stands with 758.6 points, ahead of the United States (757.7), Australia and Argentina. Behind, all their European rivals complete the top 10: France, Serbia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Greece and Italy.
GARBAJOSA: “THE 18-N WILL BE A DATE TO REMEMBER”
The president of the FEB, Jorge Garbajosa, has affirmed that November 18, 2022 “is already a date that will remain in the memory” of all those who love basketball because, for the first time in history, Spain occupies first place in the FIBA men’s ranking.
“I wanted to share all the happiness with you and thank all the people and institutions that have been working for many years,” he added.
The president of the FEB recalled the selection of the Los Angeles’84 Olympic Games, the ‘golden juniors’ and “everything that came after”. “The selection of the windows, the heroes of the last Eurobasket, but I also want to remember all those clubs, big and small, coaches, referees, Autonomous Federations that work so hard every day so that Spain has this privileged position. To all the coaches who have gone through the national team, especially the current one, Sergio Scariolo, the captain of this team that has given us so much success in Spanish basketball”, he commented.
Garbajosa pointed out that it is a “symbolic title”, but that for the FEB it is of “great importance”. “We are going to face the year of the Centenary from the first position of the world ranking,” he said.