Not even five minutes of the game had passed and Juan Núñez had already birado three balls to his teammate in the Ulm Yago Santos. Shouldn't he step forward in defense? Also after going out on track to replace the rookie, Alberto Díaz had already nailed three triples without failure to Brazil. Wasn't he a defensive specialist? Weren't point guards Spain's weak point without Lorenzo Brown and Ricky Rubio? "They're responding. It is a position that is logical that he has been able to raise some curiosity about his performance, "Sergio Scariolo conceded last night, delighted with his directors, first test passed.

Find out more

Basketball World Cup.

Spain flies to Brazil to the rhythm of Juan Núñez

  • Editor: LUCAS SÁEZ-BRAVO (Special Envoy)Jakarta

Spain flies to Brazil to the rhythm of Juan Núñez

Find out more

Basketball.

Those inexperienced debutants maintain the greatness of Spain

  • Editor: VICENTE SALANER

Those inexperienced debutants maintain the greatness of Spain

The spotlight undoubtedly rests on Núñez, in his naturalness, in his daring. He nailed a triple in transition (his threat from the perimeter was also doubted), rebounded (seven), ran, scored (13), took the MVP of the game and, in short, played as if he had been defending that shirt all his life, as if the World Cup were his playground. He did what seems impossible, make Ricky forget on the track. Although outside he is always present: his teammates keep a black shirt with the 9 on the back in the locker room as a memory and motivation. "Everyone knows that Juan is one of the pillars of our team for the future. But we will not be hypocrites. There have been circumstances that have made it possible for them to be here with a leading role. Surely the process has accelerated, "admitted the coach with his pupil at his side, so shy the Madrid before the microphones that it is difficult to understand that he is the same shameless who did mischief a while before on the track. "Play, creativity, ability to learn... the franchise player for 10 years." Scary compliments that prepare you for what's to come.

But that pearl that Real Madrid has let slip in an unusual way, that offers its show in the Bundesliga and not in the Endesa League and that the little it pronounces, in a short way, without raising its voice, is to highlight the collective – "having been able to be last summer the whole month concentrated with them and then in the Windows is key. I know how the family works. In an environment of very friends that gives you confidence and then on the track give everything" -, he is not alone. It has the wild card of Alberto Díaz, a dog of prey to learn in training and, it seems, a perfect complement. A couple to not stop dreaming. "He played a great game, holding Juan in defense. We are clear that they are the players who lead our team. We are confident. They won't always play together as well as they do today. The important thing is that they stay well, that they take the reins in attack and defense." Again the Unicaja base left the physical on the track: in a throw he was run over by a Brazilian rival, forcing the umpteenth lack of attack, specialty of the house.

Alberto Diaz, in pain. Tatan SyuflanaAP

A moment earlier, Yago Santos himself and Brazilian coach Gustavo Conti were snorting. "It's never easy to play against Spain, too many losses..." They had been handcuffed by a team that did not show its best version, but won by 20 as if nothing. Even without the solvency of the Hernangómez. Especially unfocused was Willy, who took striking quarrels from Scariolo – "there has been some error that has needed a strong correction" – shouting bare with his defensive skates. It was as if the coach wanted to make it evident, the wake-up call to the one who knows that it is basic for what comes from the tournament. Without being asked directly, he talked about the new Barça player. "Willy didn't play his best game. He will surely play very well the next and the successive ones. It's an anecdote. For a long time we have a very solid rebound control in the championships, "he said.

Because without Willy and without a Santi Aldama who already showed part of what is expected of him, without the fang of a Usman Garuba who plays angry, without the "fresh legs" of the young people as Rudy Fernández says and without everything else, being in the quarterfinals will not be easy. At the moment, until Friday, the selection has a small break. While this Wednesday Latvia and Canada, the rivals for the ticket to Manila, will play it at the Indonesia Arena, the selection will play tomorrow the procedure against Iran.

  • Brazil
  • Latvia
  • Canada
  • Iran
  • Ricky Rubio
  • Real Madrid
  • Basketball World Cup