Spain Secures Passage to Second Phase of Pre-Olympic Tournament
Despite a busy schedule and short preparation, Spain has secured passage to the second phase of the Pre-Olympic tournament. In their match against Lebanon, the team, led by Pradilla, put in a strong performance, winning with 14 points.
Tournament Schedule Criticized
Coach Sergio Scariolo has spoken out about the challenging schedule, calling for the calendar to be revised. "I hope that at some point this calendar, which is so difficult to understand, will be eliminated," he said. The coach believes that the back-to-back games are affecting the team’s performance, forcing them to concentrate even more.
Juancho Hernangómez Suffers Adductor Problems
The team’s performance was further impacted by Juancho Hernangómez’s adductor problems, which will need to be managed ahead of the next match against Angola. "Have back-to-back games and I hate it. We all hate it," Scariolo said, directly addressing those responsible for the calendar.
Spain’s Performance Praised
Despite the challenges, the team’s performance was praised by coach Scariolo. "We did nothing out of the plan. We shared the ball well, we knew how to refocus when there were mistakes and we did not make several sequences of errors," he said.
Usman Garuba Commends Team’s Effort
Standout player Usman Garuba commended the team’s effort, saying, "We played a great game. It was very good. We had the ambition to win by 20 and to continue contributing. We were very focused."
Next Match Against Angola
The team will now face Angola in their next match, a crucial game that will determine their progress in the tournament. With a busy schedule and short preparation, the team will need to manage their energy levels and concentration to achieve success.