La Familia returns to another European final, absolutely unimaginable half a month ago, after another magnificent display of its indomitable character
Having to give a novel a title seizes at the lapel the idea of writing something like ‘The Absolute Unexpected’. No one in their right mind, except those who sign up so many with the advantageous tactic of guessing the past already seen and not the future to be solved, thought that the Spain of na Pau and the unforgettable generation would dock the dock. can reach where the victorious boats sway quietly. Regardless of tonight’s result at about 10:30 p.m., basketball’s La Roja will have its theoretical brittle keel docked in the port of greatness. Perhaps only Sergio Scariolo, in his mind full of diagrams, had imagined that a tender, inexperienced team, startled by a halo of fatalism, would close the Eurobasket today. Long, a precise word for this sport of longitudinal types, an event as difficult to comprehend as seeing the famous comet once in a lifetime.
There are friendly events that, because they are repeated so often, reach the rank of habit. Finalist again?, you might say of this selection that remembers a veteran television commercial. You’re right. Fourth continental battle for the gold medal for the Italian coach – three already in his pocket – who has ascended to Olympus and rules Spain from the basket. And again against France, a solid and diligent opponent on the steps where legends are cooked. Only that today Gasol I The Emperor who scored 40 points for the French team in the 2015 European semi-final is not in the group. olfactory trace of leftover gunpowder.
The path of both contenders, partly calm and tortuous in some turns with eyes on the abyss, matches them. Vincent Collet’s team closed the first phase with a score of 3-2 to 4-1 led by Scariolo. From there, there are quite a few similarities on the knife edge. The ‘blue’ team won Turkey by one point in the round of 16 and needed extra time against Italy in the quarter-finals – more than a foot out of the way – before overwhelming Poland in the run-up to the final game. Spain needed a five minute tip against Lithuania, came back against surprising Finland and came from spreading an excellent chair of rebellion, play and character against Germany, the host team. Suddenly, that group that could fall at the first intersection labels – again – the poster of the finale. A stubborn team, despite the obvious loss of talent, smelling glory every time.
Of the cloak that fastens low realism, no one would be surprised by the general approval of the roster to participate, at least in the first direct elimination round. First to Georgia and then to Berlin, a group traveled in which two-thirds of the members had never seen each other in a challenge like this one. A conglomerate that relied on the Holy Trinity of Rudy -spiritual leader and carnal link between glorious past and uncertain present-, Willy (high offensive talent as a high beacon within the area) and the unquestionable mastery of Scariolo, the strategist without the that nothing of this day would be understood. Chess player, hardworking and meticulous with whom his teams always grow during the competitions. Serious groups, identity and makers of good basketball.
The Italian coach who already occupies a deep hole in Spanish basketball has put together a team with the remains of the shipwreck. I’m writing this out of absolute respect for players with enough character to overcome the long shadow of a formidable past. Suddenly the group appreciates the pairing of the interior duo Juancho (more was expected of him) and Garuba. Brizuela’s unabashed courage fits the infallible spirit of a group that covers the mouth with both hands. The fierce defense of the repechado Alberto Díaz appears to capitulate at the fundamental moments. And the calm talent of the nationalized Lorenzo Brown via the coercive decree – a reason for the justified debate – explains why they are now reading about the upcoming European final.
Regardless of gold or silver, Spain will have beaten doomsday predictions with shoes from seven leagues. And nothing reckless, on the other hand. Opposite will face a favorite French team, like so many others that the national team has experienced in this tournament of fallen icons (Jokic, Antetokounmpo, Doncic). A group, that of Collet, superior from a physical point of view and especially in the internal battery, aligning guys like the basic Heurtel – as hard to love as it is talented and determined -, the outer Fournier, the complete ‘four’ Yabusele or the lofty goalkeeper of his hoop Gobert, leading defender of the Republic from his watchtower in all heights.
No one gave a dime for a Spain in the midst of a generational change and, on the other hand, France appeared in slightly more optimistic groups as a candidate to climb the Berlin drawer. The big favorites went home – Slovenia, Serbia and Greece – and it will be the Spaniards and the French who will compete for a golden bath today. The figures of the last clashes between these two teams are in favor of Sergio Scariolo, who has performed another miracle by reaching the final. La Familia has defeated the Gauls in four of the last six matches at the European Championship. In 2015, Spain won the semifinals 80-75; in 2013, he lost in the same round of three (72-75); in 2011, they won the group stage (96-69) and then won the gold (98-85); in 2009 he won the quarterfinals (86-66); and fell with a bang in the battle for bronze in 2005 (68-98).
Source: La Verdad
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