The defeat against Greece ended the participation of Spain in the Eurobasket and with Sergio Scariolo's golden stage at the head of the selection Spanish, but despite a last painful experience at the head of the national team, the new Real Madrid coach believes that you can see a light in the future of the national team, with players such as the Taronja Sergio de Larrea or Mario Saint-Supéry.
Both ended up playing at the same time in the last minutes of the game against Greece (86-90) and were among the most prominent of the National Team despite having just 19 years and being their first experience in a great international competition.
'Larry' added 6 points, 6 assists and 1 bounce in just over 25 minutesbut also shone in the previous match against Italy with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assistance, for a total of 17 assessment.
Saint-Supéry, meanwhile, ended the Eurobasket with 13 points, 1 rebound and 3 assists in 17 minutesin a party in which they dared to assume responsibilities when Spain more needed it against Greece, with the classification in play.
SCARIOLO's praise
On them, Sergio Scariolo himself stressed that “I have played with them because to win this game I felt comfortable playing with them, not because we wanted to give them experience. I like that image to close a door but at the same time open another one that a light is seen.”
The already ex -selector added that “the future is brilliant. Another will be in charge of the team, but I recommend these players to be together and keep love for this shirtcontinue to trust the great work that the Federation does. Fifteen years with the team are many and I will be the number one of a selection from now on, “he said.
Goodbye to the selection
Regarding his goodbye of the National Team, he stressed that “Every love story has an end. It's like when a husband and a woman separate for any reason But they still remain and spend time together. We have 'children' together and others who come behind this team to take care of for many years and those that I love to see growing from the lower categories to the absolute. It is time for another to take over. No one is irreplaceable. When I took charge of this team, people told me that it was impossible to do better than before and surely that will tell the one who comes later. You have to look to the future with optimism, “he said.
Last game
Scariolo acknowledged that he would have liked his last game but at the same time indicated that he cannot be more proud of his players' effort: “It's amazing how they have traced a 15 -point disadvantage. The effort, competitiveness and energy they have put In the game it is incredible. “
“Sport puts you on your site. It is true that We have had little prize for the effort we have made in these two great games in which we have played against rivals on the superior role but have had to sweat until the last moment to win. But if we have not won it is also because we have lost mistakes at key moments, “he added.
Evolution of Spain with him on the bench
He also talked about the evolution he has appreciated in the national team: “When I arrived in Spain for the first time I already saw good basketball but a surprising lack of competitiveness. Then came a new generation and began to demonstrate to everyone that Spain could not only play good basketball but also win. And there came the great DNA of this team, not to give up regardless of who the opponent was or what the result was. “
“We do not point with the finger here, we do not seek guilty when we lose; the name you carry in the chest is more important than the one you carry on the back and these boys showed it once and another. We won a World Cup and a European with most of a legendary withdrawal generation. In this pyramid everyone feels part of a family and I hope that this legacy will continue for many years beyond our work here,” he said.
