From my experience, the World Cup is the most important tournament, the one that the player always has in mind, even more than an Olympic Games, because here the prominence is not shared. But the circumstances (the calendar, the injuries, the resignations) condition this World Cup in China, matched downwards, based on reducing the quality of the selections, which are also more than ever. It has nothing to do with that of 2006 in Japan where we were champions, where the general level was higher and I think that Spain was a more made team, with more previous coexistence.

Marc Gasol and Rudy Fernández have followed since then and I do not believe that any of them have a trace of what happened in the following editions, of the eliminations in the quarterfinals in 2010 and 2014. It is a team now with many changes, with that mixture of those who achieved the latest successes and those who brilliantly achieved the classification in the Windows. A more collective group, but in which you will have to see, I think, the moment of form of Ricky Rubio and Marc Gasol.

The first I see more incisive than ever, mature and protagonist. In an extraordinary moment in every way. Marc is the great reference. And Llull and Rudy, the touchstones.

Then, others have to appear promptly. Because the block is solid and with many alternatives for defense. I think that kind of versatile player has been sought in the intermediate positions. Sergio Scariolo , always a great strategist, will try to create problems for the opponent from the board and defensive approaches, because we are not so talented.

It is precisely in attack where Spain may have difficulties, because we are a little fair point generators. We need success from the perimeter, because if they manage to stop our referents, it will cost us. We will also live a lot of the blockade and continuation of Ricky and with Marc coming out of the painting to distribute basketball. Finally, the key will also be to control the rebound when we are not successful.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Spain
  • Marc Gasol
  • Rudy Fernandez
  • Japan
  • Ricky Rubio
  • Sergio Scariolo
  • sports
  • Basketball World Cup 2019
  • Spanish Basketball Team
  • basketball

World Cup in China, between hope and realism

GrandstandThe irresistible proliferation of air conditioning

The Iberian RuedoPlay for patriotism