Βy Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Finland can make it to the Eurobasket semifinals for the first time ever, but in order for this to happen, they must beat Spain (13/9, 17.15 CET).
“There are not exactly the same world stars in this roster, but Spain still plays admirably as a team”, admitted Hano Motolla, who serves as an assistant coach to Lassi Tuovi. Mottola, head of the Helsinki Basketball Academy, but also a former player of Baskonia, when it was still called Tau Ceramica, knows and respects Spanish basketball.
“They have a lot of options at both ends and the knowledge, skill, and instincts to get out of tight situations, especially in the offense”, said Mottola to the official website of the Finnish basketball federation. “When the ball seemingly stops, they are still able to continue the play. It feels like the players instinctively know what to do in every situation. And one of the representatives of the previous golden generation, Rudy Fernandez is still present”.
That’s why Finland must contain the Spanish backcourt and especially Lorenzo Brown, as Mottola said: “Above all, we have to be able to stop Spain’s ball movement and their high ball screen, which was key against Lithuania. Of course, an extremely experienced top coach Sergio Scariolo may see that something else works against us more efficiently, and we have to prepare for that too”.