By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Thanks to the win over Germany in the 2022 EuroBasket semifinal, Sergio Scariolo has now led Spain to its eighth medal in all competitions through his multiyear (2009 – 2012, 2015 – now) stint at the helm of the national team. And this achievement feels more special than the rest for the decorated coach.
“I can’t find the words to congratulate my players. They went above all expectations. This medal is probably the least expected but, to me, the most satisfactory,” Scariolo said. This edition of the Spanish team is, arguably, the least strong this century with many inexperienced players and serious absences (Ricky Rubio, Sergio Llull, Sergio Rodriguez). “Built on hard work, togetherness, team basketball, defensive effort, desire to overcome our limits, physically basically. And big guts in the fourth quarter once again. Ten straight free throws made and some big shots too.”
Spain will face France in the Final. It’ll be a rematch of many battles between these powerhouses and a new chapter in a rivalry that began in the days of Pau Gasol and Tony Parker.
“It’s always exciting,” Scariolo said. “They always have gigantic teams. Super athletic teams, very talented teams. With NBA players or top EuroLeague players. I respect coach Vincent Collet and our opponent. We are here, it’s one game. Anything can happen in one game.”
This summer, Spanish basketball has a major representation in international competitions on all levels (youth, senior, women and men). “This is the ninth final this summer for Spain,” Scariolo commented. “I don’t know if you can size the dimension of this number. In every competition, Spain puts a team in the Final. I’m glad for my players, I want them to enjoy this because this is their accomplishment as well. Coaches, players, every year they are working and they put something on the table to keep growing. This doesn’t happen in a single night. This is many many years of hard work.”