By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
SHANGHAI – Spain managed to qualify to the semi-finals of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, after defeating a strong and balanced Poland team, on Ricky Rubio’s record night.
Sergio Scariolo praised the national team of Poland after his team’s victory, simply stating that they well deserved to be in the top-8: “You’re not in the top-8 teams of the world by coincidence. We knew that. These guys did a great job, we have to give them credit. They competed, they’ve been playing together for many years and it shows. The same group of guys, same coach. They play as a team, compete and fight. They’re talented”.
Scariolo, 58 didn’t hide his emotions after Spain returned to the semi-finals of the World Cup after 13 years: “We are so happy to be in the top-4. We’ve been out of the top-4 in the World Cup for 13 years which is huge. It’s great to be in the top-4. If you see how many great teams are out… Serbia and Greece are the strongest teams who are out, Lithuania as well”.
When asked if the team is closer to the gold medal, he simply stated there’s a long way to go: “No no. In the top-4 there are stronger teams than us, but the stronger teams not always win”.
As for what makes the difference in the Spanish national team “togetherness and competitiveness”, Scariolo mentioned.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL