Spain is itself and it is not. It is the one that resurfaces when the responsibility burns most, when the tournaments are focused on their moment of truth, when the critics, their own and those of others, lurk. But not the one that devastates with offensive self-confidence, the unapproachable for the rivals, that of Pau Gasol or Juan Carlos Navarro , gods that are not there, but left an eternal mark. Now the selection, classified mathematically for the quarterfinals of another World Cup, seeing the medals (will face, depending on the results of Sunday, Argentina or Poland ), is the one that leaves no loophole, which breaks the schemes with a defense of cause envy Less talent, but more blackboard and more effort.

«It has been one of the best defensive exhibitions in Spain in years . It is difficult to say the best, but with the physical structure of the team and the experience, I would be on a safe podium, ” Sergio Scariolo , who had master touches from the bench, also put in value. Like when he just played Juancho , in the first act, with the storm over Spain and the Nuggets with the fuck: «I wanted to give it a short but short touch». «I had been overexcited, with two balls that I did not take, a bad defense ... Sergio changed me and told me to shake . A touch of attention that has come quite well and has helped me to direct the game again, ”acknowledged the small Hernangómez , author of 16 points , 10 almost consecutive around the locker room:“ I am very happy with Juancho because he has played his first big game internationally ».

Juancho was the light and Llull the revulsive in the gray night of the leader. Marc Gasol failed his first five pitches, uncomfortable against Biligha , although the only basket was like a monument, the one that certified the triumph, the one that unleashed all the accumulated tensions. There was more joy than anger in the screams. Another release Nor was the other reference as usual, seven Ricky losses that were a pain. « We know that Marc and I have to pull the car, but we also have Llull, Rudy, Juancho ... Everyone, I don't want to leave anyone. The attack may go better or worse, but it is not always up to you, it depends on whether the ball enters or not. But in defense we have been with the knife », admitted the base. Because Spain is not focused on the aim, six triples of 23 attempts , although it clearly surpassed the Italians in rebound.

But if there was a silent hero, if someone had a night of glory, that was Victor Claver , so many times pointed out, with a defensive display to amaze the world and nine rebounds that were pure gold. "The commitment of all players must be highlighted, but Claver's effort with Gallinari is to value his work as sometimes is not done," Sergio Scariolo claimed loudly.

The intense duel left a beautiful intrahistory of past rivalries with the Valencian as the protagonist. « I admire Gallinari a lot , because we are the same age and I have known him for many years. It was a motivation to stop him, that he was not comfortable. I wanted to assume that responsibility and it went well, ”admitted the forward of Barça. Because, indeed, Claver became a man with Gallinari as a reference, both of the 88 generation, from a tournament with 14 years . Summer after summer, face to face with transalpine talent. Then also in the NBA ... Last night Victor made him bitter, despite the 15 points of the new Oklahoma player.

Another issue was that of arbitration, desperate, especially the Mexican Bermudez , who had it taken with Spain (up to two techniques pointed to the bench). Although it finally balanced a little, the balance of fouls was from 20 to 7 at the beginning of the last act, against the selection. Ricky Rubio, of the worst treated in this regard, settled him in the mixed zone with a serious: «Next question» .

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  • sports
  • Spanish Basketball Team
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  • Sergio Scariolo
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  • Basketball World Cup 2019

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