By Michalis Gioulenoglou/ info@eurohoops.net
Limassol, Cyprus – Despite losing to Italy and needing a big win against Greece to stay alive in the EuroBasket, Sergio Scariolo has his eyes fixed on the future.
While the Italian coach is leaving the bench of the Spanish national team after the tournament for Real Madrid, after winning four Eurobaskets, one World Cup, two Olympic medals, and in total eight medals in major FIBA tournaments, he firmly believes in the next generation of the Spanish national team.
As he said: “This is not a game to get depressed, but to build over it. We fought against a really high-level team, and we were very close, probably two or three little details away from getting it. So congratulations to Italy because they managed to come back after a bad start. Obviously, they have some very experienced players who we know were not getting nervous, and they were going to come back in the game”.
Santi Aldama, who is expected to lead this generation, added: “It’s tough to digest in five minutes, because the game is just over, but I think we did a pretty decent job, and we have a game in two days, and we must prepare and go out there and die against Greece”.
However, speaking about the game against Italy, Scariolo also mentioned the importance of experience from the Italian side: “Obviously, it was a very close game, and their experience ultimately made the difference. Some very specific plays, like a rebound we missed, a bad shot in the end, or even a very important three-pointer by Procida when our zone has managed to contain them, and help us to come back”.
Spain can survive a defeat by Greece and qualify for the Eurobasket Round of 16 if Georgia beats Bosnia.
Photo credit: FIBA