The Spanish basketball team’s coach, Sergio Scariolo, has expressed his caution regarding their upcoming match against Belgium, a team that has already defeated them once before with a score of 58-53. Scariolo acknowledges that Belgium is a rival that consistently poses difficulties, and he recalls their previous encounter in the 2022 European championship, which Spain ultimately won.
The team is looking to bounce back from their crushing defeat against Latvia, with a score of 83-66, and Scariolo emphasized the importance of competition, highlighting Belgium’s athletic capacity and notable players like Ratis Obasohan, who’s having a standout season. The coach emphasizes that while they’re focused on Europe, they need to be patient and allow time for necessary improvements.
Player Spotlight: Lucas Langarita and Josep Puerto
When asked about Lucas Langarita, Scariolo praised the player’s scoring capacity, noting that he’s been enjoying more minutes in his current category. However, Langarita still needs to work on aspects like defensive improvement, decision-making, and three-point releases. Despite this, Scariolo believes Langarita has the physicality, ambition, and work ethic to be a part of the national team’s schemes.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Josep Puerto expressed his excitement about being part of the Spanish basketball team, acknowledging that this experience is an opportunity to learn and gain new experiences. As a player for Valencia Basket, Puerto has been called up by Scariolo before and feels “very wrapped” in the Leonese capital. He’s optimistic about the atmosphere in the upcoming match at the Municipal Palace of Sports, where a full house is expected, and hopes to help the team secure a victory against Belgium to conclude the classification phase on a high note.
Scariolo also shared his fond memories of visiting León, where he previously coached teams like Tau Baskonia, Real Madrid, and Unicaja from Málaga. He appreciates the basketball project of the León cultural and sports club, which competes in the second division, and hopes that the national team’s visit will help keep the public’s interest in basketball alive. With a keen eye on the future, Scariolo is working on building a strong foundation, focusing on the good things the team has done, and looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.
