Ethe path of Spain to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is experiencing its decisive phase. A semi-final against the immortal Finland appears on the horizon (8:30 p.m., Teledeporte) and the hypothetical final against the Bahamas of the NBA and pure and simple talent. It’s a different challenge. “The new reality”, as the president says of the FEB Elisa Aguilar. But before which ‘The Family’ must survive. First, the ‘wolves’ ‘Suomi’, who flood Valencia with its displaced thousands.
The one who won’t be there is Juancho Hernangomez. His adductor injury leaves him out of combat. “He will not play. In the 2022 EuroBasket against Finland he helped us a lot in the outside shot,” explained national coach Sergio Scariolo. Something similar happens in the ‘Suomi’, who live everything the tournament without its NBA All-Star Lauri Markkanen. “They change, of course. And I’m no longer talking about individual talent,” remarked the Italian coach.
Finland is the only team in the world that looks like Spain because it is a system team
Although a very tough match is foreseeable. That European Championship was (100-90), with Rudy increasing his legend against a Finland that was 15 points clear. “The style is the same. In the world there are only those who approach Spain because they are a system team. He grows from inferiors with the same idea of the game and identity. It manifests itself in his rhythm, ability to take advantage of resources and so many shooters who open the field,” analyzes the one from Brescia.
A final
It is the first final before the final. Spain, partly veteran, knows how to play. “Many of us have found ourselves in situations like this many times. We know how to play it: high concentration, altruism, knowing how to stay behind the score. Don’t be in a hurry to close it,” he says.
We know how to play it: high concentration, altruism, knowing how to stay behind the score.
But Finlandwhich has no star, Yes, it is hard by definition. “We must give them their credit. They know how not to die despite being behind on the scoreboard. They know how to recover with coolness, good decision-making and success in the final minutes,” he explains. “We must be solid, defend the ball and not get lost in unnecessary help. In attack, find well-constructed shooting opportunities,” he closes.
