The new reality of Spain in the Eurobasket of the stars: "We are not afraid"

asks

not to look at the past, everyone is aware that, now, the Spanish team, the feared one, the double world champion, the one with the Olympic medals and the continental gold medals, the one of the wonderful years, has entered another dimension, the of mortals.

For the first time in 16 years there is no Gasol at the helm, nor is there a trace of the gold juniors;

for the first time in decades no one even dares to count Spain among the favorites of a European who, after five years of absence, returns with more stars than ever.

Because the Spain that goes to the first phase in Tbilisi with seven players who will debut in its first major national team tournament, with an average age of 24.5 years, is joined by the inevitable generational change with the unforeseen events of a summer in the that Scariolo was falling pieces as if it were a fateful domino.

Due to withdrawals (the

), due to previous injuries (

), due to physical mishaps in the summer (

) and due to lack of appetite.

Because at his command could be

who preferred their personal circumstances or their clubs to a summer with Spain.

So the team that hurried until the last moment to summon its 12 definitive soldiers appeals to the spirit of Las Ventanas, to that middle class that so heroically rescued the team on the way to the World Cup, and to those who take over from the front page of protagonism after years of learning, with

as anchor with the past and great captain, in his 16th tournament with Spain in search of his 11th medal, with almost as many caps as the rest of his teammates combined.

"I see the team ready for battle. It's a nice challenge for us. The medals of the past don't matter, now we want to compete on the track", he challenges.

It will be the Spain of the

also that of

.

And it will be the Spain of

the nationalized base between controversies that seems essential.

Jokic and Antetokounmpo, during a recent friendly.ANDREJ CUKICEFE

After 10 running semifinals in the European Championships, a minimum team is now presented, which transfers to those of the last century in which reaching the continental podium was already a success (from 1959 to 1997, two silver and one bronze).

And all, in the most competitive tournament in memory.

From those editions every two years that lost value with handfuls of absences, to the current European in which the posters are headed by three of the best players in the world, dominators of the NBA.

But, in addition to

"There are eight new players and that makes us more unknown, but we are not afraid, we want to compete. I expect a hungry, motivated team. We have less pressure, and that in a way can be good," Scariolo encouraged yesterday from Tbilisi, where today Spain makes his debut against Bulgaria (1:30 p.m., Four).

The first step of a friendly initial phase - the local Georgia lost its star Shengelia;

a priori, it will be against Turkey on the last day with whom the leadership will be played-, prior to the fierce round of 16 crossing.

Because there, already in Berlin, at the Mercedes Benz Arena, France, Slovenia, Lithuania or the local Germany will wait.

An absolute Rubicon, since it would have been almost 50 years since the national team was left out so soon.

Conforms to The Trust Project criteria

Know more

• Luka Doncić

• eurobasketball

• Pau Gasol

• Sergio Lull