Scariolo's magic board: "There is nothing random, not even throw-ins"

On

's board are the secrets of the success of the Spanish team.

A "deep tactical cylinder" that is based on the wisdom and experience of the Italian coach, on his faithful group of assistants, shadow heroes, and on the ability of his players to believe without question in the faith of the guru.

This afternoon (5:15 p.m., Four), against the Finland of the amazing

, "an original, atypical and effective team", the conjurer's tricks will return to achieve the unthinkable, that this Spain considers, for the 11th consecutive time, between the four best in Europe.

At noon on Sunday, while the rest of the expedition was taking a siesta,

took notes in the front row of their rival's quarterfinalist Mercedes Benz Arena.

They did not miss a detail of that unknown country that is Finland, a team that "if you let them play can make you dizzy and drive you crazy" in the words of the coach, whom the last time Spain faced was nine years ago, when Markkanen had not even committed to the Arizona Wildcats.

Notes in the first person that will then be processed by Scariolo and the rest of the coaching staff and, from there, will go to training in the afternoon, to the technical session on Monday and, finally, to the field tomorrow.

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Finland, Spain's quarterfinal rival, the wolf pack led by Markkanen: "It's something out of the ordinary"

• Drafting: LUCAS SÁEZ-BRAVO(Special envoy)Berlin

Finland, Spain's quarterfinal rival, the wolf pack led by Markkanen: "It's something out of the ordinary"

«There is an enormous work of the staff, many hours without sleep.

The players get everything shredded.

Cut videos, key plays of the rival.

The two previous days the routine begins, constant reviews so that everything is in the player's head.

There are usually one or two video sessions and just before leaving the pavilion, at the hotel, the last reminder", details

, world champion in 2019.

box and one

In the semifinals of that tournament, Australia was left speechless like Lithuania on Sunday in Berlin or Turkey in Tbilisi.

All favorites on paper, they succumbed to the Spanish defensive frenzy, mutating zones, constant changes and guys willing to do anything with one goal.

"We feel that we are disconcerting the rival, it is like a game of chess," explains

to EL MUNDO , one of those who today may have the Markkanen mission.

"Against Lithuania they used the zone on throw-ins and then 'Box and one' with

and then with

, like with

in Beijing. They managed to collapse them, break their plan, make them have to play something else. The fundamental thing is try to keep the rival's key players from participating", adds the forward from Madrid, one of the heroes of Las Ventanas.

It is there, in those concentrations in season, where the first stone is laid for what will later be successes in the summer.

Scariolo's recipe book is unfolded to everyone who arrives, a work more typical of clubs than of national teams.

Those in charge of reviewing the lesson are

, specialized defensive coach,

.

More in the background but just as vital,

.

"nothing random"

One of the things that stands out the most is the use of defensive press zones, something that is no longer a trend in Europe and that is almost always used "when things go wrong".

Scariolo does not hesitate to resort to them even at the dawn of the duel.

In its variety and its richness is part of the success-"there is another one that is with three players up and one at the top, big and physical. He used it in the Raptors with

"-, the other is the commitment of those who execute it. "The key is that everyone trusts that work, that all the players create.

The competitive gene is not just saying it, it's putting it into practice.

And with Scariolo nothing is left to chance, everything is discussed, every detail, every substitution, every throw-in...", continues Beiran, 38 times international, all with the Brescia coach. "He manages to ensure that each player has his mission and more in this European Championship, where he is using the 12. The player knows that something is needed from him, whether it is two defenders, the last shot or cheering from the bench.

That is the difference with other selections", puts the value the forward.

Luis Guil, with Alberto Díaz.ALBERTO NEVADOFEB

"It is also complicated for the coaching staff, changing our club's concepts from one day to the next. But the whole team is aware that it is the best, we go 100% with the ideas that he presents to us. That confidence is one of the keys . It rarely fails," adds Parra.

"Finland, due to its approach to the game, can create a problem for Spain. Who defends Markkanen? I think Scariolo's zones and surprises will return," says a scouting chief of an NBA franchise posted to Berlin.

"There is not going to be a single plan, there is always A, B or C. In case things don't go well. Rudy is smaller, but he is intense and ready.

has been key in defense and

will also be used "Beiran points out.

"The question is not so much defending Markkanen as the rest, a team full of shooters, especially

", warns the coach, with his ace always up his sleeve.

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