Ricky and the national team say goodbye to Víctor Claver: “With Spain I lived the best moments of my life”
Lthe song was isuitable for the moment. Copenhagen sounded, by Vestusta Morla. “The courage to leave, the courage to arrive,” the lyrics relate. Víctor Claver, one of the great forwards of Spanish basketball, retires and, taking advantage of the Valencia Pre-Olympic, turned a farewell event into a party with his faithful teammates and friends from the national team. Among them, Ricky Rubio. Despite not being in the qualifying tournament for Paris, he did not miss his friend’s most special day.
Claver was almost everything for national basketball. Olympic silver in London 2012, bronze in Rio 2016, gold in the 2019 World Cup, three in EuroBasket and the Endesa League in 2021. A player who went from talent and physical exuberance to work and being a key piece of any team. Complete, without a copy in the current storefront. In addition to the value beyond the track, which is what many stay with.
Beyond the field
Sergio Llull, his great friend, is one of those who best values that great little detail. Because their life together ranges from children to consecrated figures. “We coincided in a junior championship, Valencia against the Balearic Islands. And from there we don’t stop competing. Everyone knows what he was like as a player. He helped his teammate when a rival ran away, if the defender didn’t arrive… But, even so, I stay with the person,” he explained.
We live deep conversations that we did not value at that moment and later they are very important
Next to the second captain of the team was Ricky Rubio. He finished the season with Barça, and did not appear with Spain. But it was not missing. “We share many experiences together, but this goes beyond basketball. We lived deep conversations that at that moment we did not value and later they are very important,” confessed the point guard.
The great memory of Claver. Who burst into tears thanking his family. Especially her father. The one who had been a handball legend in Valencia and wanted his little one to be a 40×20 player. But he chose basketball, and how well it went.
The pride of Claver
Claver transcended. And he showed pride in his teams at the farewell, including the NBA. “In Portland, although I didn’t play as much as I wanted, I had the opportunity to fulfill my dream,” he explained. And passing by Valencia Basket, which will dedicate a court to him in the spectacular Alquería.
At first I didn’t play much, but I came to know how ‘The Family’ is that which goes beyond the field and is born in the hotel room playing pocha.
Coming to the selection, the joining point. “I had the best times of my life,” she said. And he dedicated a few words to an emotional Sergio Scariolo. “Thank you. For what you have shown me these last few years. And for that EuroBasket you took me to when I was 20 years old. I didn’t play much, but I knew how ‘The Family’ is that which goes beyond the court and is born in the hotel room playing pocha,” he concluded.
To close an excellent sporting career. Professional, committed and buttoned up with your loved ones by your side. Now Hugo’s father will be able to see his little one with a ball. Claver is already the history of Spanish basketball.
