[1/2 Finals] Spain - Slovenia

[Levenspiel2]

Sep 14th, Thursday. 20:30 CET

The only two teams of the tournament without a loss so far. This is bound to be a great game. What do you expect?

 

[Dtown2]

I honestly think Slovenia has a better shot to pull the upset than anyone in the other bracket.

 

[Lyonswim2]

Almost all people here think that Spain is better than Slovenia in offense. I can't agree on that. If the game start to be open, like this one was, I think Slo will win it. Spain offensively it's to much depending on Gasol brothers.
Rubio, Navaro and rest just don't shoot the ball well.

 

[Richey6662]

Spain is the USA of Eurobasket, the burden of proving them wrong is always on another team. It was funny to read someone writing on another thread, "if Gasol hadnt go hot..." There is always some "if", that brings Spain the victory. Game against Germany was perfect example, they fought well for 25 minutes and then just got blown out. Against Slovenia I am pretty sure Dragic will be held in check in by Rubio and Spanish frontline will have a feast again at the right moment. Doncic needs to go to 30-35 for Slovenia to have even a minuscule chance.

 

[fasoulaki2]

I voted for Spain because lets be honest this Slovenian team went much further than their material would permit under normal circumstances. I mean have a look at this roster. An 18 years old Doncic who has no beard neither in his face nor on his testicles. And than this insane guy Randloph the red nosed reindeer. Slovenia just was lucky to be become first in group A the easiest group of the tournament and to play with these rugby players from Ukraine. And yesterday Procingis managed to play worse than Dragic and lost the game himself.

All my positive energy goes to Spain! I love and admire Spain especially the Gasol brothers and Navarro! I wish you good luck Spaniards! Stay healthy and hit the threes!

 

[Killer Bob2]

I voted for Spain because lets be honest this Slovenian team went much further than their material would permit under normal circumstances. I mean have a look at this roster. An 18 years old Doncic who has no beard neither in his face nor on his testicles. And than this insane guy Randloph the red nose reindeer. Slovenia just was lucky to be become first in group A the easiest group of the tournament and to play with these rugbey players from Ukraine. And yesterday Procingis managed to play worse than Dragic and lost the game himself.

All my positive energy goes to Spain! I love and admire Spain especially the Gasol brothers and Navarro! I wish you good luck Spaniards! Stay healthy and hit the threes!

Like yesterday your energy went to Latvia.

It's hard to me to understand, who, except people from Spain, will cheer for Spain?

 

[Darrell Armstrong2]

Almost all people here think that Spain is better than Slovenia in offense. I can't agree on that. If the game start to be open, like this one was, I think Slo will win it. Spain offensively it's to much depending on Gasol brothers.
Rubio, Navaro and rest just don't shoot the ball well.

Not to burst your bubble, but Navarro at this point of his career is like the 10th player in the rotation. Only Vives, the 3rd-string PG, is playing significantly less minutes than him. And even though he's washed up he's still making shots at an acceptable clip. I'd be more than worried, terrified, if Scariolo tries to cover either Dragic or Doncic with Navarro, as he can't defend a folded chair and would be absolutely destroyed by either one. But I don't mind him playing against the 2nd unit and jacking up a couple shots.

Anyway, I hope Slovenian NT shares your appreciation for all the spaniards not named Gasol. Then it will be an easy game for us. 3-point percentage for the rest of the team:

• 
  Navarro: 39%
  Rodriguez: 47%
  Rubio: 43%
  Sastre: 50%
  Vives: 40%
  Oriola: 43%
  San Emeterio: 42%
  J. Hernangómez: 35%

To put that numbers in perspective, only Blazic is shooting better than Navarro for the Slovenian team. And he doesn't get many minutes. Other than him, only Randolph and Prepelic have fared better than the worst shooter in the Spanish side. And still would be at the bottom of the list.

And you have to take into account that Slovenia doesn't have a lot of bodies to throw at the Gasol brothers. They have Randolph, Vidmar and "5-fouls" Dimec. That's about it. Spain can rotate at C both Gasol and Willy and don't miss a beat, but if either of Randolph and Vidmar get in foul trouble it's going to be a big problem for Slovenia. And the presence under the boards of our big men is going to be really important, as Slovenia, up to this moment, scores more by driving to the basket than by outside shooting. That's why I think Latvia would have been a worse matchup.

That's not to say the game is going to be a blowout. Far from it, Slovenia is the most talented team we have faced so far. Your pair of star guards can wreak havoc, and, while I had the feeling a 10-point lead was safe distance against Turkey and Germany, I'm sure Slovenia won't be put aside so easily and will fight to the last possession.

 

[Killer Bob2]

Spain is the USA of Eurobasket, the burden of proving them wrong is always on another team. It was funny to read someone writing on another thread, "if Gasol hadnt go hot..." There is always some "if", that brings Spain the victory. Game against Germany was perfect example, they fought well for 25 minutes and then just got blown out. Against Slovenia I am pretty sure Dragic will be held in check in by Rubio and Spanish frontline will have a feast again at the right moment. Doncic needs to go to 30-35 for Slovenia to have even a minuscule chance.

People were pretty sure Slovenia will lose with Greece, France and Latvia. If Spain plays like yesterday, Slovenia has very realistic chance to win. If not other, Gasol brothers, Navarro and San Emeterio are very slow going up and down, and against Slovenia they will have to run much more than against Germany. If Spain had Llull, I would say no chance for Slovenia. Previous years was suicidal to try to outrun them. But I'm not sure if thats still truth. Spain will have to play much better than with Germany. They're of course capable of that and big favorites. But favorites don't win always like we have seen in this Eurobasket.

 

[Killer Bob2]

Not to burst your bubble, but Navarro at this point of his career is like the 10th player in the rotation. Only Vives, the 3rd-string PG, is playing significantly less minutes than him. And even though he's washed up he's still making shots at an acceptable clip. I'd be more than worried, terrified, if Scariolo tries to cover either Dragic or Doncic with Navarro, as he can't defend a folded chair and would be absolutely destroyed by either one. But I don't mind him playing against the 2nd unit and jacking up a couple shots.

Anyway, I hope Slovenian NT shares your appreciation for all the spaniards not named Gasol. Then it will be an easy game for us. 3-point percentage for the rest of the team:

• 
  Navarro: 39%
  Rodriguez: 47%
  Rubio: 43%
  Sastre: 50%
  Vives: 40%
  Oriola: 43%
  San Emeterio: 42%
  J. Hernangómez: 35%

To put that numbers in perspective, only Blazic is shooting better than Navarro for the Slovenian team. And he doesn't get many minutes. Other than him, only Randolph and Prepelic have fared better than the worst shooter in the Spanish side. And still would be at the bottom of the list.

And you have to take into account that Slovenia doesn't have a lot of bodies to throw at the Gasol brothers. They have Randolph, Vidmar and "5-fouls" Dimec. That's about it. Spain can rotate at C both Gasol and Willy and don't miss a beat, but if either of Randolph and Vidmar get in foul trouble it's going to be a big problem for Slovenia. And the presence under the boards of our big men is going to be really important, as Slovenia, up to this moment, scores more by driving to the basket than by outside shooting. That's why I think Latvia would have been a worse matchup.

That's not to say the game is going to be a blowout. Far from it, Slovenia is the most talented team we have faced so far. Your pair of star guards can wreak havoc, and, while I had the feeling a 10-point lead was safe distance against Turkey and Germany, I'm sure Slovenia won't be put aside so easily and will fight to the last possession.

This 3 points stats are totally unrealistic, not enough data, we saw normal Rubio yesterday. Like are unrealistic stats of slovenian players. Blazic is for sure the worst 3 points shooter in Slovenia. And Doncic is taking the most difficult and the most shots. No way that Rubio, old Navarro and Sergio are better shooters than Doncic, Prepelic and Dragic. Kokoskov will try to put pressure on guards like in every game and live Gasol brothers to have their normal game, like Porzingis had yesterday. There was no duble team on him.

 

[Killer Bob2]

This 3 points stats are totally unrealistic, not enough data, we saw normal Rubio yesterday. Like are unrealistic stats of slovenian players. Blazic is for sure the worst 3 points shooter in Slovenia. And Doncic is taking the most difficult and the most shots. No way that Rubio, old Navarro and Sergio are better shooters than Doncic, Prepelic and Dragic. Kokoskov will try to put pressure on guards like in every game and live Gasol brothers to have their normal game, like Porzingis had yesterday. There was no duble team on him.

This years Nba stats:

Rubio Fg% 40; 3pts% 30
Rodriguez Fg% 39; 3pts% 36
Dragic. Fg% 47; 3 pts% 40

Euroleague:

Navarro 3pts% 28
Doncic 3pts% 37

Acb:

San Emeterio 36%

Prepelic in Limoges 35%

I believe the whole season stats. are much more reliable than stats. after 7 games, many against easy opponents. And you can see all spanish players have much worse stats than in Eurobasket.

 

[turk-jugoslav2]

Like yesterday your energy went to Latvia.

It's hard to me to understand, who, except people from Spain, will cheer for Spain?

As hardcore fan of Gasol brothers, me always cheer for Spain

I don't like Rubio and Rudy from Spaniards but I really love the rest. Gasol brothers are perfect examples of complete basketball player. They make excellent defense, 3's, post moves and assists. I don't think Porzingis and Giannis will ever reach their level as complete basketball player.

Slovenia in this year is also great team. I really enjoy watching Doncic and Dragic. Especially Gragic has improved his game year by year, very good example of hard working's results.

As to game, Spain is huge favorite since they have al lot of ofensive weapons. Doncic and Dragic should play their best, otherwise it will be easy for Spain.

 

[unnamed2]

I'll be cheering for Spain this time and for a simple reason - they don't have foreigners in their roster, all local players

 

[Adon2]

I'll be cheering for Spain this time and for a simple reason - they don't have foreigners in their roster, all local players

Not by choice so this reason is not serious.

 

[Killer Bob2]

I'll be cheering for Spain this time and for a simple reason - they don't have foreigners in their roster, all local players

Like Mirotic never played for Spain and they didn't try to persuade Doncic to play for them.

Randolph is first foreigner in Slovenia. Why? Because of Lorbek long term injury we simply don't have anybody on 4. And I guess you can understand that in country with 2 million people it's not that easy to produce that many good players. On the other hand Spain has 46 million people and still Mirotic and Ibaka in their team.

 

[Darrell Armstrong2]

This 3 points stats are totally unrealistic, not enough data, we saw normal Rubio yesterday. Like are unrealistic stats of slovenian players. Blazic is for sure the worst 3 points shooter in Slovenia. And Doncic is taking the most difficult and the most shots. No way that Rubio, old Navarro and Sergio are better shooters than Doncic, Prepelic and Dragic. Kokoskov will try to put pressure on guards like in every game and live Gasol brothers to have their normal game, like Porzingis had yesterday. There was no duble team on him.

I agree with you that this is a small sample, but basketball is a game of streaks and in this current tournament outside shooting is one of Spain's strengths. Surely some slovenian players can shoot better than they have shown, but that's the case for some spaniards, too. Juancho is a 41% career shooter from NBA distance.

And another strength for Spain is defence. We're better suited for stopping the kind of offence Slovenia has shown up to this moment than Latvia's. Both Gasol can sit under the basket and block shots all game long without becoming a liability, as they are when forced to defend out of the painted area. And Slovenia lacks the big bodies to harass them and prevent Pau or Marc, or even Willy, to get good position. For once, playing both Gasol at the same time may not be such a poor idea. If they are doubled, we have enough shooting to make them pay for it. It's quite a simple gameplan, which doesn't mean it will be enough to win. But it's nothing different that we've been doing all tournament, meanwhile Slovenia has to kick it another gear and start making more shots from outside. Turkey and Germany couldn't. Let's see.

 

[Adon2]

All my positive energy goes to Spain! I love and admire Spain especially the Gasol brothers and Navarro! I wish you good luck Spaniards! Stay healthy and hit the threes!

...and Spaniards felt someone walking over their graves

 

[Killer Bob2]

I agree with you that this is a small sample, but basketball is a game of streaks and in this current tournament outside shooting is one of Spain's strengths. Surely some slovenian players can shoot better than they have shown, but that's the case for some spaniards, too. Juancho is a 41% career shooter from NBA distance.

And another strength for Spain is defence. We're better suited for stopping the kind of offence Slovenia has shown up to this moment than Latvia's. Both Gasol can sit under the basket and block shots all game long without becoming a liability, as they are when forced to defend out of the painted area. And Slovenia lacks the big bodies to harass them and prevent Pau or Marc, or even Willy, to get good position. For once, playing both Gasol at the same time may not be such a poor idea. If they are doubled, we have enough shooting to make them pay for it. It's quite a simple gameplan, which doesn't mean it will be enough to win. But it's nothing different that we've been doing all tournament, meanwhile Slovenia has to kick it another gear and start making more shots from outside. Turkey and Germany couldn't. Let's see.

Spain is a big favorite. But Slovenia is playing much higher tempo than Turkey and Germany and making 90 points a game. And don't forget it's only 1 game not a series.

 

[unnamed2]

Like Mirotic never played for Spain and they didn't try to persuade Doncic to play for them.

Randolph is first foreigner in Slovenia. Why? Because of Lorbek long term injury we simply don't have anybody on 4. And I guess you can understand that in country with 2 million people it's not that easy to produce that many good players. On the other hand Spain has 46 million people and still Mirotic and Ibaka in their team.

At this moment Spain is fully domestic team. Serbian basketball association tries to acquire only players with Serbian roots which is fine for me (although I got no idea if Doncic has Serbian roots or not). In any case FIBA is too lenient on naturalization of players. I think it should be way more strict.

 

[Valexander2]

Still the same question. Can X stop Spain. No Slovenia can't and it is obvious, it is not polite to be so demanding from such a team. Spain is the Usa Of Europe. LOL. it is just that european tournaments the last decade are dropping levels in terms of quality, and spain managed to remain strong, nothing extraordinary you can name it USA of europe. teams from former Yugoslavia in the 90s were much more impressive teams with real powerhouses to overcome in order to be crowned. If only Serbia could give some more motivation to those who preferred to be absent... USA my a$$

 

[Killer Bob2]

Still the same question. Can X stop Spain. No Slovenia can't and it is obvious, it is not polite to be so demanding from such a team. Spain is the Usa Of Europe. LOL. it is just that european tournaments the last decade are dropping levels in terms of quality, and spain managed to remain strong, nothing extraordinary you can name it USA of europe. teams from former Yugoslavia in the 90s were much more impressive teams with real powerhouses to overcome in order to be crowned. If only Serbia could give some more motivation to those who preferred to be absent... USA my a$$

I'm more and more convinced we have real chance. So many people 100% sure we can't win is always a good sign.

I would really like to see Pau Gasol upset in last seconds. I'm sure we would see his true colors in this case.