By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Lille, France – After winning the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia, Spain qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics and was placed in a very tough group alongside Australia, Greece, and Canada.
Sergio Scariolo’s side fought well in the opener but eventually lost to the Boomers. The next game against Greece, which also lost to Canada, could be key for both sides’ ambitions to advance to the quarterfinals.
One of the most experienced Spanish national team players, Sergio Llull, discussed the causes of the defeat to Australia but emphasized that he still believes in his team’s chances.
“The key is to be tougher in defense, to control the rebound a little better, which was an area in which we all failed the other day, and then to try to play our game. I trust this team; it is clear that the group is difficult and does not allow you five bad minutes in a game. Tomorrow, we have to come out more focused and tougher. I still see this team with a lot of desire and enthusiasm; we are going to try to win tomorrow’s game,” Llull said.
The Spanish team didn’t crumble after the opening loss. On the contrary, now Scariolo’s men will be even more focused.
“The group is fine; it is still as united as always, with the same habits. It is true that the other day, we may have paid for our lack of experience at the beginning against Australia, going out a bit to see what happens instead of being 100% focused and physically involved in the game. In the end, this is the Olympics, a unique experience, and both those who are new and those who have been here for a while know that there is still a lot to play for, and tomorrow we are going to try to take that first step to qualify.”
One key aspect of the upcoming game against Greece will be to try to manage two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as much as possible. He scored 31 points in the opening defeat to Canada.
“He is obviously one of the keys. He is a top player, one of the best in the world, and we are going to have to be very attentive, try to make sure his virtues do not come to light, stop him a little but without losing sight of other great players with a lot of experience that there are in Greece,” Sergio Llull concluded.
Scariolo: “Greece is very fearsome”
The Spanish team’s head coach, Sergio Scariolo, also shared his insights on the upcoming clash against Giannis and the Greek team.
“Greece’s strength is that it has such a large number of top-level Euroleague players who have very important roles in very important Euroleague teams, accustomed to playing games of this type. Not to mention that they have one of the best players in the world. The team is very fearsome; they defend, they have shooters, a very atypical structure with their biggest man playing most of the time outside the three-point line, two top-level European handlers, Papanikolaou is one of the best forwards in Europe, Larentzakis, Mitoglou… In short, a great team, and as such, we have prepared ourselves to try to find the best way to contain it. They have such a large number of Euroleague players… Obviously, Antetokounmpo is the star, one of the best players in the world, with brutal individual ability, but we have to be very smart in trying to contain him without leaving too much freedom for the rest. It is not a team with a great star surrounded by low-quality players; it is surrounded by very high-quality players,” Scariolo said.
He sees a lot of room for improvement in his side.
“Each match is different; it is not about waiting for the same situations to occur as against Australia; they are different teams. Everything can be improved: the rebounding, of course, the defense of the ball, the patience in attack… We have to see what match Greece offers us and what other problems will arise.”
Spain has a great blend of experienced and young players who are eager to learn from the veterans.
“The group is very united, very cohesive, and eager to compete again. It is a moment in which the most experienced players have a fundamental role, and the less experienced have the role of learning quickly because the future is now. It is about having players who are capable of playing this type of match, and that teaches these players a lot. Apart from competing in the best possible way, it allows them to continue learning because it is their turn now and tomorrow, with more weight,” Scariolo concluded.