Scariolo: "It's the Eurobasket with the highest quality" |
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by Manuel Moreno - Sport.es He approaches his third competition with the Spanish national team with the homework done, a question to be answered and the responsibility to defend the title. We are just days before the start of the Eurobasket, how is Spain doing? Today it is a tough day (when we talked on the phone, Navarro and Llull had just left the concentration to attend the funeral of Reyes' father) because what happened to Felipe has affected all of us. But there is some work to be done and we need to complete the preparation. The team is generally in a good condition: physically, mentally and technically. What was the best and the worst of this month's work? The worst, the loss of Feipe's father, without any doubt, because the cut of Carlos Suarez is a "good bye" that can be overcome. The best, the positive feeling within the group which is what counts. We had a good preparation time and tried different things rather than just looking for results. The atmosphere in the locker room is good and this is positive for being competitive. When did you decide the final cut? Only in the last two days. Every training and every game could have said something new. We thought, evaluated the risks of potential injuries and what it could mean for the team. We have reached an unanimous decision based on the team's structure, the whole idea of the group. It was the third time that I had communicate the decision to Carlos, who for months, when it looked like we could take 14 players with us, had great probability to be part of the group. The guy has been, as always, impeccable in his reaction. What are differences between this team and the one of last year's World Championship? Many players have changed, but the differences on the court will have to be shown by an higher defensive level, when we will start competing. That is the core of the matter and it must be done on the court. Will anybody seek revenge from the last World Championship? It might happen on a personal level, but each competition starts from scratch. The motivation is to do things now and with the actual teammates, without looking back and with respect, care and humbleness. Spain will defend its title, are you the top seed? I see Spain in the group of favourites, as one of the teams with a chance of reaching the final. But this year will be played the championship with the highest level I can remember. There will be more teams and more games, will it mean more problems? This element affects the plan of the preparation. You need to avoid fatigue, not overloading the players with too many minutes and the risk of injury. We believe that in the 19 days of competition we will have to improve progressively, and this involved a preparation whose goal wasn't to start the competition at top condition. What opponents are the most dangerous? Among those I have seen, the one I liked is Russia, but between those going forward from our group and the 3 or 4 coming from the group next to ours, any could reach the final. What will be the winning element of Spain? How will we play? The chemistry of the team is crucial. With great individuals, the key is for them to be altruistic and supportive. If we will succeed in this, we will have chances to do well. And the biggest tactical problem? That is for our opponents to find out. How important is Pau's comeback? It is important for what it provides to the team and the security it gives to the group. For what he does and conveys. This group has players with leadership's quality, but if you have to choose one, that is Pau. Two years ago you tried it and now it seems to be back among the outstanding issues, will Pau and Marc play many minutes together? We could not test this solution then, but we had the chance this year instead, seeing advantages and disadvantages. It's a choice we have and we will choose when to use it depending on several things. Rudy will play as a 3? I intend to add talent and not to dissipate it. Not setting someone as a substitute of the other. Having Rudy besides Juan Carlos gives us more than what it takes away. ¿Will Calderón be the starting point guard? In principle, yes, although I don't have a set starting five and prefer to adapt to situations. Would the gold in Lithuania be the icing on a great summer? In every possible sense the tip of the iceberg is always the senior national team, but even in the case that things will not go well, it will not tarnish the great merit of all the other Spanish basketball national teams. |
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