• Chronicle .. The deed of all time

Of all the heroics of the selection in the 21st century, which are many, none like this. Any. We didn't doubt them, no. We had it very clear: there was no equipment at all. Not to dream, it's free. Nothing made us think we were wrong in the first phase. Ricky surrounded by veteran stars far from his best, young people far from what they promise and day laborers (with all due respect) away from our recent level. Hard times are coming, you have to get used to it, thanks for the past and something else.

They were silent because they knew.

They knew that, in sport, who has won a lot is always close to winning again. Against Australia, in a game that was on the verge of escaping forever for many minutes, Spain survived until imposed because Scariolo , always undervalued, came to the obvious conclusion: take out your five old heroes and let them do what they know. And what they know is to win. And again. Being better and being worse. Easy or difficult. From the attack or from the defense. For talent or for balls. Win because they are extraordinary.

Marc Gasol , the object of an unfair criticism who was not erased in a season that is already going for 114 games for him, gave everything he was asked for and more in the second half and extensions. He was demanded character and left a legendary game and half Twitter erasing the writing as if an hour had been a year. His performance is one of those who never forget.

At his side, Ricky Rubio in the role of leader who can approach the MVP of a World Cup shortly after Sunday. Few players generate more division among fans, with two irreconcilable sides (so far): those who measure him for what they dreamed he would be ( Magic , basically) and those who measure him for what he is (a fantastic base). The weight of expectations has been tremendous throughout his career and has not put on a bad face or ever hidden. This World Cup does it justice.

And around the two stars, a huge Rudy Fernandez , a prodigy of basketball intelligence, probably the player who best reads the pass lines of the planet. A Victor Claver who in this World Cup has made the leap to Carlos Jiménez of the next generation: it seems that it is not but is always, because when it is not yes you notice it. And Sergi Llull , far from his best physical moment, but to which there is no ball to burn, tangerine that scares him, a situation that surpasses him or triple decisive that you can not trust him. Three fabulous players.

This Spain should not be in the final of a World Cup. But this. Because it's not about duty, it's about knowing. Know how to play and know how to win. And in that, few better than these five.

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  • Basketball World Cup 2019
  • Spanish Basketball Team
  • basketball
  • Marc Gasol
  • Rudy Fernandez
  • Ricky Rubio

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