'Past is over': Sergio Scariolo meets a new era in Spanish basketball / News - Basketnews.com

Before the opening EuroBasket 2022 game on Thursday, Sergio Scariolo and Rudy Fernandez talked about the differences between Spain's golden and current generation teams.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Before the upcoming opening day game against Bulgaria, Willy Hernangomez was making halfcourt threes alongside Sebas Saiz.

The whole mood and team spirit in Spain's national team camp look as high as many basketball fans are used to see. The only difference is that, unlike for the last 15 years or so, only a minority looks at Spain as a serious contender to win the medal in the upcoming EuroBasket 2022.

Since EuroBasket 2007 in Spain, the Spanish national team didn't win a medal in only three competitions – the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

The golden Spanish generation with Pau Gasol, Sergio Llull, Juan Carlos Navarro, and many other greats racked 10 medals in various competitions:

3 Olympic medals (silver in 2008 & 2012 and bronze in 2016) World Cup gold medal in 2019 6 medals in EuroBaskets (gold in 2009, 2011, and 2015; silver in 2007; bronze in 2013 and 2017).

Now, out of 12 players, only Rudy Fernandez, Willy Hernangomez, Juancho Hernangomez, and Usman Garuba have experience in at least one major tournament.

So, how should this new Spain's identity look, and what should we expect from La Roja?

"It's a little tricky [having 8 players without major competition experience], but we are not afraid," head coach Sergio Scariolo said in his pre-event press conference. "We're expecting great hunger and motivation from our young players."

"We expect them to use these circumstances to show that we and they individually can compete. At the end of the day, everyone is trying to make a step up. We work trying to maximize our skills and to hide and minimize our weaknesses," added Scariolo.

Scariolo is a huge part of Spain's success in earlier years. As a member of those past teams and a current squad, Scariolo admitted that there are differences between being a head coach for those teams, but he also found some positives.

"Yes and no," Scariolo began his answer to BasketNews' question. "Yes, of course, because it's a completely different team with different goals. Also, I'd say different pressure. [We have] way less [of it], which is good at some point."

Despite a little bit more humble goals than everyone is used to, Scariolo expects Spain to stick to its core values.

"After so many years of carrying and holding that heavy pressure from Day 1, now the pressure is the one that we're putting on ourselves," Spain's head coach continued. "It's being faithful to our identity by showing generosity, showing unselfishness, showing toughness, showing togetherness in tough moments of the games. Show that we are ourselves and our identity is still there."

"We are working a lot with our young generation. It goes back to under 14 basketball to the main team. We're working and trying to teach them the same principles. There's a lot of work behind.

It all starts with these guys [points to Rudy Fernandez] when they show everybody how the national team should compete at the top international level.

There are values that are absolutely non-negotiable. It can be a difference in experience, size, talent, and so on. But it can't be a difference in how we prepare, stay and compete together, " added Scariolo.

Credit AFP PHOTO / DANIEL MIHAILESCU

Meanwhile, another hero of those winning Spanish teams, Rudy Fernandez, also revealed that Spain's current squad must have a little different approach than everyone was used to.

"We don't feel pressure," said Fernandez. "Obviously, in Spain, everyone always expects that we will compete for the medals but this year… [The mentality] is probably to compete in every game [instead of thinking about the medals]. It starts tomorrow against Bulgaria. We have to have a game-by-game mentality."

Scariolo was also asked whether the basketball fans can expect to see Spain playings its exciting and free-flowing basketball. However, the Italian coach noted that everyone should be realistic.

"To compare [golden and current generation teams] is unfair," Scariolo said. "It's a brand-new team that is mostly made from brand-new players. I don't see a need to make comparisons. Of course, people still do it, but if you live in the past, you will never be able to move forward. The past is over, we have to move forward."

"Fortunately, we still have players who can link the past with the present. The past as a whole is a completely different entity. However, at the same time, we are the same because, as I tried to explain before, we try to grow our kids with the same principles. Not only values but basketball principles.

One of those is to share the ball. One of those is to try to drag two people next to the ball and look for an open man. Of course, are you asking if we'll be able to pass the ball like Ricky Rubio? Of course not. It's a no-brainer. But the idea is to look for an open man and to play the way everybody admired this team playing for so many years, will be there," Scariolo concluded.

Current Spain is less experienced, less talented, and has less expectations from neutral basketball fans. However, the approach, principles, and values remain the same.

Will the transition period be long and painful? Or maybe we are about to see a group of quick learners who will make a surprisingly deep run in EuroBasket 2022?

We will find out soon as Spain begins its new journey on Thursday.

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