Sergio Llull was therefore right to be calm and confident before facing Greece. He and his teammates did the job against Giannis Antetokounmpo and his gang, in the match that absolutely should not have been lost. “The goal is to be in Paris”, recalls the veteran.
La Roja moved closer to the capital and the final phase with this success, in which the Spaniards were impressive in their 3-point shooting, resisting the comeback of the Greeks, to the great joy of Sergio Scariolo.
“It was one of the best games in recent years, with good participation from all the players, great defensive solidity and control of the rebound,” the coach rejoices. “Probably against a better team than us. But we put our heart, our head and our talent in the important moments of the match. I think we deserved to win.”
Another important victory against Greece in Lille
In addition to the successful offensive performance, Spain can also highlight its defense. Giannis Antetokounmpo certainly shone with 27 points, but he was very much alone, often cut off from his teammates.
Pushed around and unable to get ahead against Australia, La Roja this time mastered their subject.
“It was a different game,” assures Sergio Scariolo. “We managed to get on the right track in the first quarter. The second quarter was good and we started the third well, but the end was average. After that, the game was balanced, with good decisions on both sides of the court. We managed to contain Giannis and prevent the other players from having too much freedom to score.”
This match was a nod for the coach of Spain, who already directed an important match against Greece in the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, in the quarter-finals of Eurobasket 2015. Pau Gasol was then the superstar of the Roja and had carried Spain in a difficult victory (73-71) thanks to the 27 points and 9 rebounds of his leader.
“Pau was there, so his spirit is probably in the air”reacted Sergio Scariolo. Sergio Llull, for his part, congratulated himself on the mental strength of the group, “staying calm and trusting your teammate”.
Finally, the coach reassured about the health of Rudy Fernandez, victim of a concussion but who is fine. He could even be in uniform for the next match.
