The Final: Spain - France

[Darrell Armstrong]

I think that's a universal thing

Sure, but do you have a verb for it?

[Killer Bob]

Some Bosnian Media report that the Slovenian NT was partying until 5 o'clock in the morning and was drunk too the day before the Elimination Game

Have you read somtehing about it in the Slovenian Media?

I attended the German Supercup in Germany (a friendly tournament before the Eurocup). I think 2013 oder 2015.

North Macedonia was taking part and Saturday night I saw Pero Antic in the Club at around 2 o'clock in the morning. It was the year before he went to the Hawks. I asked him how it came that he was picked up by the Hawks and his answer was: I don't know it myself

The North Macedonian Center was totaly drunk and even beat up some random guys in the Club

The next day this fat undersized guy made some 5 from 5 threes and made the game of his life finishing with more than 20 Points or so as far as I can remember

I's just this Bosnian source. Imho that party happend in Cologne. I believe good draw in elimination games was paradoxically very unfortunate for this Slovenian team.

[paspalj]

It's very Spanish to complain about something you have only a passing knowledge about. We call that "do the brother in-law" (hacer el cuñado, cuñadear).

I think that's a universal thing

[turbostef]

Yes, 10 seconds to go, you're 2 down and opponents have 2 FTs and possession because of unsportsmanlike foul and you win because you suppose to. Lol

Serbia and Slovenia deservedly lost. I like Croatia choosing Finland, who destroyed them in the crucial match in qualifications for WC already.

Some Bosnian Media report that the Slovenian NT was partying until 5 o'clock in the morning and was drunk too the day before the Elimination Game

Have you read somtehing about it in the Slovenian Media?

I attended the German Supercup in Germany (a friendly tournament before the Eurocup). I think 2013 oder 2015.

North Macedonia was taking part and Saturday night I saw Pero Antic in the Club at around 2 o'clock in the morning. It was the year before he went to the Hawks. I asked him how it came that he was picked up by the Hawks and his answer was: I don't know it myself

The North Macedonian Center was totaly drunk and even beat up some random guys in the Club

The next day this fat undersized guy made some 5 from 5 threes and made the game of his life finishing with more than 20 Points or so as far as I can remember

[Darrell Armstrong]

L.Brown was the real MVP but evidently voting for a last minute naturalized player was not in the cards for some coaches or whoever else makes these choices.

It's very Spanish to complain about something you have only a passing knowledge about. We call that "do the brother in-law" (hacer el cuñado, cuñadear).

[ronmercer80]

L.Brown was the real MVP but evidently voting for a last minute naturalized player was not in the cards for some coaches or whoever else makes these choices.

[Ridirkulous]

And might not even play a other tournament ever. As good as he has been it took a barrage of injuries for him make the team. Next year with Rubio, Llull or Alocen available his chances are slim.

Is Llull really playing again for the NT? I mean, I read that Rudy wants to play till the olympics, too. They will be 39 and 37 at that point, respectively. Yikes. I am all for it of course.

[penzias]

Alberto Diaz is 28.

And might not even play a other tournament ever. As good as he has been it took a barrage of injuries for him make the team. Next year with Rubio, Llull or Alocen available his chances are slim.

[Killer Bob]

France reached the final because they beat those that they were supposed to beat. Convincingly or not it doesn't matter, it's not their fault that Serbia and Slovenia turned out to be absolute pretenders

Yes, 10 seconds to go, you're 2 down and opponents have 2 FTs and possession because of unsportsmanlike foul and you win because you suppose to. Lol

Serbia and Slovenia deservedly lost. I like Croatia choosing Finland, who destroyed them in the crucial match in qualifications for WC already.

[Toruko]

France has a big problem protecting and sharing the ball. Evan Fournier is a finisher and not someone who can create from pick and roll action for others. Okobo is even worse in terms of creating for others. Albicy is a great defender but pretty much useless in the offense. Heurtel is a very gifted play maker but is still Heurtel, one of the loser play maker in Europe alongside Calathes.

[Jon_Koncak]

France reached the final because they beat those that they were supposed to beat. Convincingly or not it doesn't matter, it's not their fault that Serbia and Slovenia turned out to be absolute pretenders

[Killer Bob]

It defies all logic that France made it to the final. Not only they were the worst in terms of turnovers, they also played really bad basketball throughout the tournament.

France lost against Germany, Slovenia and Spain, was really bad against Hungary and Bosnia and luckily escaped against Turkey and Italy. Second place is a miracle.

[Levenspiel]

France played great in spurts, especially when they exerted lockdown defense, and that was enough to overcome the previous opponents, with some luck obviously. Even in the final we could see that, but Scariolo really did not leave anything to chance. His time out when the difference dropped from 18 I think to 12 pts is an example.

[paspalj]

France was the worst team in turnovers in Eurobasket, kinda shocking that team like that made the Final.

It defies all logic that France made it to the final. Not only they were the worst in terms of turnovers, they also played really bad basketball throughout the tournament.

[turbostef]

Spain gained my respect a long time ago. I would not say that the spanisch team got my sympathy or even love but this years team seemed quite down to earth and sympathic even thoug Rudy was on the team

Nevertheless like 2019, Spain was humble, no drama and at the end they just beat them all. Respect. I whished the so called favourites would have done the same. Semis Greece-Spain and France-Lithuania (with Doncic being 100% healthy) or Serbia would have been Epic from a Basketball Gourmet Standpoint.

And so another FIBA Tournament ends with a quite familiar ending. Spain winning it all.

But I still don't get it why Spain has a need to naturalize a random American (with this year carrying the team during a long period). Spain did it in the past with Ibaka and Mirotic but this year's naturalization was even on a whole other level.

C'mon. 45 Mio. People, high Budget in the Federation, best domestic league after the NBA etc. And then you Naturalize a random American like 2 Million Countrys? That's a weak move in my opinion.

But at the end of the day Spain just utilizes the rules without no second thought.