MADRID, 12 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The national basketball coach, Sergio Scariolo, highly praised his players after the win (84-88) over Italy at home, in a “great atmosphere” as expected, and showing that they are a team despite their youth and little experience , some, with nothing to envy the Euroleague players.
“It was a great game, great atmosphere, I knew it, this city has passion and understands basketball. It was one of the best games I’ve ever had. I’m happy to win it. We started well, then we made stupid defensive mistakes at the end. In extra time We were good”, he said at a press conference in Pesaro.
The Italian coach triumphed at home in a tight match that gave Spain the lead in Group L. Again without NBA or Euroleague players, the European champion carried out a FIBA ??commitment that brings qualification for the 2023 World Cup closer.
“We have a young team, players who are just starting out but who are growing at a European level without playing the EuroLeague. I love our philosophy, to continue with this group of players. I trust them. Even if the EuroLeague players are available, I don’t think that it be a good idea to call them. I don’t want to compare, it’s just the idea. I’m proud of them, how they are a solid team”, he said.
In addition, Scariolo valued the option of stamping the ticket in Huelva against the Netherlands. “We have an important match on Monday, we can sentence the mathematical qualification for the World Cup and we want to do it at home,” he concluded.
Together with the coach, Jaime Fernández, scorer of 28 points and key to the national victory, also appeared at a press conference. “It was a great game. Both teams scored good baskets at the end, very evenly matched. We took the victory, I’m very happy to help the team. I don’t know if it’s my best moment, but it is the moment I enjoy the most”, he claimed.
